Parkour athletes in Fiji are intensifying their efforts to promote the sport and cultivate a robust pathway for upcoming competitors. Elite member of the Flight Crew, Shivam Chand, who represented Fiji at the Parkour World Championships in Kitakyushu, Japan in 2024, highlights that increasing participation is the primary focus for this season.
Parkour, along with Aerobic Gymnastics and Gymnastics for All, is recognized as one of the three disciplines under the national gymnastics federation. The sport involves dynamic and creative movements, allowing athletes to navigate from one point to another by efficiently overcoming obstacles. It encompasses running, jumping, climbing, vaulting, and rolling, showcasing the agility and versatility of its practitioners.
Currently, Flight Crew boasts about eight core members, both based in Fiji and around the globe. This diverse group includes athletes from various disciplines such as sports, dance, and breaking, with several members having competed for Fiji in the Speedrun event at the World Championships.
The team is embarking on recruitment initiatives to draw in new participants and is exploring scholarship opportunities for athletes to gain coaching education. Additionally, there are ambitions to include Parkour in this year’s local games calendar, aiming to increase the sport’s visibility in the community.
Chand emphasizes the importance of growing the number of practitioners for the sport’s future, stating, “Our main goal for this year is to recruit and introduce more people to Parkour. We aim to grow the sport as much as possible, as there are currently only a small number of athletes practicing Parkour in Fiji.”
Looking ahead to 2026, the vision expands significantly. Chand envisions establishing grassroots numbers, forming local community crews, recruiting new members, conducting classes, achieving financial independence, hosting competitions between established groups, and creating an international competitive pathway.
The Parkour community is calling for support from existing clubs, gymnastics organizations, and the media to elevate awareness and adopt effective development strategies as they strives to advance the discipline to the next level. With a dedicated approach and community involvement, the future looks bright for Parkour in Fiji.
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