Qualifying for the Olympic Games at the age of 17 was something Lolohea Navuga Naitasi never thought would happen.
Naitasi will be representing Fiji at the Paris Olympic Games in the sport of Taekwondo.
She qualified on merit after winning a silver medal at the Oceania Taekwondo Qualifying tournament in Honiara, Solomon Islands in March.
Just two years ago, the Daku, Nakelo in Tailevu native joined the sport after it was introduced at Suva Grammar School during a Physical Education class.
One would say that it was love at first kick, as she is now gearing up to wave Fiji’s flag in Paris.
“I never imagined, let alone dreamed, of qualifying for the Olympics, but I’m qualified now, and I can also say that it is a dream come true,” she said.
“I used to watch it when I was young and used to dream of joining the sport.”
“When I was called to join, in my mind I was determined, and it motivated me to go and know more about the sport.”
That leap of faith has landed her a spot in France, but the journey was one the SGS student had to learn to juggle between priorities.
“It wasn’t an easy journey because I had to learn how to balance between being an athlete and a student.”
“I struggled but eventually learned to master time management.”
“I’m also grateful for the support that I am receiving from school towards my preparation for the Olympics.”
“They have been supporting me since I qualified, and there has been so much help in keeping me updated with my schoolwork from my form teachers and classmates,” Naitasi added.
Naitasi was once an avid netball player, but life had other plans for her.
Sharing maternal links to Kuku, Bau in Tailevu, Naitasi’s solid support system has kept her going since making the switch to Taekwondo.
“My biggest motivation is my family and my colleagues who I train with.”
“They drive me through all this process, and they give me the motivation to keep on going and become better.”
Naitasi and Venice Traill will represent Fiji in the sport of Taekwondo in Paris, France at the Grand Palais strip.