Iliavi Masori, a dedicated member of the Fiji 7s squad, remains steadfast in his pursuit of playing for Fiji in the World Rugby Sevens Series, despite being overlooked for the past three tournaments. The 22-year-old hopes to eventually share the field with his older brother, Joji Nasova, who has already made a mark by competing at the 2024 Olympic Games where Fiji won a silver medal.
The bond between the brothers from Toge in Ba is solid, having competed together for Fiji 7s at the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands where they clinched a gold medal. This experience was a highlight for Masori, who expresses the importance of commitment, patience, and hard work in achieving his dreams. He acknowledges the tough competition within the squad but remains hopeful about wearing the Fiijian jersey one day.
Masori attributes his resilience to his brother Nasova, who serves as his source of encouragement through the multitude of challenges they encounter in their journey toward rugby excellence. He speaks candidly about the doubts and criticisms they face but maintains that the dream of representing Fiji fuels his ambition.
Recently, Masori participated in the Epic 7s tournament, playing for Semi Radradra’s Ubuntu 7s team and had the opportunity to learn alongside renowned players like Jerry Tuwai and South Africa’s Rosco Specman at the Coral Coast 7s. These experiences have been invaluable, helping him identify areas for improvement while gaining insights from seasoned players who have competed on the world stage.
In a testament to their commitment, both brothers once navigated challenging floodwaters to reach Suva for a Fiji 7s training session, demonstrating their dedication to the sport. Masori’s journey serves as an inspiring example of perseverance and the power of family support in the pursuit of one’s dreams.
This story reflects a hopeful message of resilience and belief in oneself, underscoring the importance of family bonds in overcoming obstacles on the path to success.
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