Moara Nonu made history in 1997 by becoming the first woman to represent Fiji at the Seventh Oceania Karate Championship held in Australia. This milestone was celebrated in an article by The Fiji Times, noting that her participation marked a significant advancement for women in Fijian sports. Following Nonu’s groundbreaking achievement, the Fiji Karate-Do Federation expressed plans to send more female athletes abroad, especially in preparation for the 1999 South Pacific Games in Guam.
In this championship, Nonu distinguished herself by earning two bronze medals in the senior women’s division, finishing behind the New Zealand competitors Maree Mahony and Aondrea Moynthan. Her notable performance reflected both her skill and determination in a competitive field. Additionally, both her husband, Pene Nonu, and fellow athlete Netani Koto also made their mark; Koto secured a gold medal in the senior men’s fighting category, while Pene earned a silver and a bronze medal in the kata and fighting categories, respectively.
Pene, who served as the secretary for Fiji Karate, shared insights into the value of the experience gained at the championship, despite the financial challenges of sending players abroad. He mentioned the benefits of exposing local athletes to international competition, stating that bringing experts to Fiji for training seminars has been a practical solution. An accomplished karate expert, Morio Higaonna, a seventh-degree black belt from Japan, recently led a seminar that attracted over 100 participants, enhancing local skills and administrative knowledge within the sport.
This narrative not only highlights the achievements of Moara Nonu but also underscores the ongoing commitment to developing karate in Fiji, particularly among women. The dedication to fostering talent and learning from experienced practitioners promises a bright future for the sport in the nation.
Summary: Moara Nonu became the first woman to represent Fiji at the 1997 Oceania Karate Championship, winning two bronze medals. Her achievement has spurred the Fiji Karate-Do Federation to send more female athletes abroad, and focus on training seminars with international experts to build local skills amid funding challenges.
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