Fiji’s veteran bodybuilder Onisivoro Koroi is showing no signs of slowing down as he eyes a major regional title in Tahiti. At 47, Koroi has earned a coveted spot in the South Pacific Bodybuilding Championship scheduled for October, following a standout performance at the 2025 Suva Classics.
Koroi’s impressive resume already features five Mr Fiji titles and a win at the 2022 Mr & Mrs Fiji Bodybuilding Championship. He celebrated another milestone recently, taking the 80kg class at the Suva Classics held at the Metro Gym in Suva. He traces his journey back to a youthful spark for the sport, saying he was “born a big child,” and that training steadily lifted his physique to a level where bodybuilding felt like the natural path to channel his energy.
His first competition came in 2007 when he was 20, at a time when the standard of competition was notably high. Koroi credits his inspiration to champion bodybuilder Ben Saqata, who mentored him and helped him push toward new heights in the sport. “My inspiration was Ben Saqata; he helped me training and becoming the best,” Koroi explained.
The road has not always been easy. Koroi has overcome financial hurdles and had to travel from Tailevu to Suva for training, a testament to his unwavering dedication to bodybuilding. He expressed gratitude for Fiji Bodybuilding, which provides a platform for athletes to showcase their skills and pursue their dreams.
Context for Fiji’s bodybuilding scene is becoming clearer as well. The 2025 Suva Classics is shaping up to be a key pre-qualifier for Tahiti’s South Pacific Championship, offering Fiji’s athletes a critical route onto the international stage. Fiji Bodybuilding leadership, including acting president Elizabeth Maki, has emphasized the sport’s development potential for both men and women, stressing that events like Suva Classics help uncover talent, foster youth participation, and strengthen the pathway to regional and global competition. The event is set to run at the Metro Gym Convention Conference Room with several categories on offer, and organizers have highlighted that spectators can attend at no cost, encouraging broader community support.
Koroi’s story sits within a broader swell of Fiji’s rising bodybuilding profile. Other seasoned athletes, such as Jale Colata Qasevakatini, 59, have demonstrated the vitality of the sport by winning medals at international events and mentoring younger competitors. Fiji’s younger talents are also drawing attention abroad, with athletes like Jordan Pillay pursuing opportunities on the world stage and inspiring hope that Fiji can produce world-class champions.
For Koroi, the South Pacific Championship in Tahiti represents a natural next step in a long career built on discipline and perseverance. He remains grateful for the platform Fiji Bodybuilding provides and hopeful that his ongoing journey will motivate others to pursue their own athletic dreams.
What this means for Fiji’s bodybuilding scene is clear: with dedicated athletes, supportive mentorship, and growing opportunities on the regional and international stages, the sport is gaining momentum. Fans and sponsors alike could find value in backing a developing pipeline that continues to produce seasoned competitors who put Fiji on the map.
Summary: A seasoned Fiji competitor, Koroi is leveraging a string of local titles and a recent Suva Classics victory to pursue glory in Tahiti. His story underscores a broader push to develop Fiji’s bodybuilding talent, supported by mentors, accessible events, and a growing appetite for regional success.
Notes and value adds:
– The Suva Classics is acting as a crucial pre-qualifier for Tahiti, highlighting the sport’s development pathway in Fiji and the potential for more athletes to compete internationally.
– The Fiji bodybuilding community is increasingly prioritizing youth participation and mentorship, with experienced athletes guiding newcomers to greater levels of competition.
– The broader Fiji scene has seen rising talent aiming for international opportunities, illustrating a hopeful trajectory for the sport in the region.
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