A flooded bridge could not deter the determination of Farasiko Tubananuku, a 24-year-old from Navosa, as he made a daring trek through rising waters at the Navala crossing to answer a last-minute call-up to the 14th McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast 7s. His remarkable journey, which has captured significant attention online, exemplifies the true spirit of resilience and commitment in sports.
Tubananuku was filmed crossing the inundated bridge to connect with the New Zealand Fijian Cavaliers 7s side after being named as injury cover for Fiji Airways Fiji 7s representative Mosese Naura. Despite the heavy rains that battered the region throughout the day, Tubananuku remained undeterred, relying on his faith to guide him over the precarious crossing.
“When I got the call from Pio Tuwai, it was flooding in the village and the rain had not stopped from morning to evening,” Tubananuku shared. “The bridge was already flooded when my phone rang and Pio asked me to come in as injury cover. I said yes straight away. I thank God for protecting me and giving me this chance to play at the Coral Coast 7s, something I did not think would happen this year.”
Recognizing the significance of the opportunity, he expressed his determination: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I was not going to let a flooded bridge stop me from being part of this tournament.”
Settling in with the Cavaliers, Tubananuku expressed his gratitude for being part of a talented squad and his eagerness to learn from some of the top players in the sevens format.
The New Zealand Fijian Cavaliers are set to compete against Uso Tasi at 12:48 PM at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka, with fans able to catch the live coverage of this exciting match on FBC Sports.
This inspiring story not only highlights Tubananuku’s commitment to his passion but also serves as a reminder of the lengths athletes will go to make their dreams a reality.
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