Jerry Tuwai, the captain of Fiji’s men’s rugby sevens team, has officially retired at the age of 35. His announcement came shortly after leading the Fiji team to a silver medal at the Paris Olympic Games held at the Stade de France.
Throughout his illustrious career, Tuwai has earned notable accolades including two Olympic gold medals, a silver medal, and a Rugby World Cup Sevens title. He was also honored as the World Rugby Sevens Player of the Decade.
Reflecting on his achievements, Tuwai said, “First gold in Rio with now coach Osea Kolinisau. Then 2020 was a blessing with another gold, and to be here in Paris 2024 is a blessing indeed.”
The Fiji team recently faced a challenging match against France in the Gold Medal final, losing 28-7. Tuwai acknowledged that France, who had been training in Fiji, were formidable opponents, especially with the support of their home crowd.
Looking to the future, Tuwai expressed no intention of continuing as a player but was thankful for the chance to represent Fiji on the global stage once more. When asked about his next steps, Tuwai mentioned a potential move into coaching, possibly collaborating with Osea Kolinisau.