Fiji Outrigger’s Iris Bentley Fisher struck bronze on the world stage, securing a podium finish in the V1 Junior 16 12km race at the 2025 International Va’a Federation World Distance Championships in Brazil. The 16-year-old’s first overseas appearance showcased poise and power beyond her years, marking a significant milestone for Fiji’s developing va’a program.
Fiji fielded seven paddlers across multiple categories at the championships, continuing the team’s strong momentum from the Palau Mini Games, where Fiji va’a athletes earned medals across the board. Among the competitors was Elenoa Vateitei, gold medallist at Palau, who represented Fiji in the V1 Open Women’s 16km marathon in Brazil. Despite equipment issues during the race, Vateitei demonstrated the grit and determination that have become hallmarks of Fiji’s va’a athletes, finishing with a resilient performance.
The bronze for Fisher underscores the depth of Fiji’s paddling talent and the resilience of its young athletes. Fisher’s breakthrough comes as part of a broader wave of Fiji achievements on the international stage, reflecting a community-wide effort to nurture talent from grassroots clubs to elite levels. The team’s actions in Brazil add to Fiji’s growing reputation in outrigger canoeing and signal a promising trajectory for future world-class performances.
The World Distance Championships drew about 800 paddlers from 26 countries, illustrating the depth of competition on the global stage and highlighting Fiji’s ongoing investment in youth development and international participation. Fiji’s delegation at the event demonstrates the country’s commitment to building a sustainable pipeline of paddlers who can compete with the world’s best.
What this means for Fiji is a bright, hopeful outlook for va’a, driven by a blend of young talent, experienced leadership, and national pride. Fisher’s bronze is more than a single medal; it’s a sign of Fiji’s expanding capacity to compete and excel in international waters, inspiring the next generation of paddlers to aim higher.
Summary: Iris Bentley Fisher’s bronze at the IVF World Distance Championships marks a milestone for Fiji’s va’a program, reinforcing positive momentum from Palau and signaling strong prospects for future international success.
Additional notes and context:
– The event featured a global field of roughly 800 paddlers from 26 countries, underscoring the level of competition Fiji is now meeting on the world stage.
– Fiji’s broader va’a program has benefited from institutional backing and continued youth development, with the Palau Mini Games serving as a precursor to Brazil’s world event.
– Looking ahead, Fiji’s va’a community can build on this momentum to propel more athletes into international competitions, deepen coaching pipelines, and sustain national pride through continued success on the water.
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