At 57, Mere Rodan, a Fijian Paralympian and para table tennis player, is gearing up to represent Fiji at the upcoming 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau. Despite facing challenges, including being left paralyzed from the waist down due to sepsis in 2006, Rodan’s resolve shines through as she prepares for the competition. With just 19 days remaining, the mother of six is engaging in physiotherapy to optimize her performance, acknowledging that while they started training later than other teams, she believes in maximizing the time they have.
Rodan’s journey in para sports began in 2014, following her introduction to table tennis through the “Smash Down Barriers” program. Within months, she competed at the 2015 Oceania Championships, achieving what some considered an upset by defeating the top-ranked Australian player. Her remarkable rise culminated in her participation in the 2016 Paralympic Games, marking her as one of Fiji’s celebrated para-athletes.
Hailing from Sinuvaca Village on Koro Island, Rodan expresses how sports have radically transformed her life. She candidly shares, “Before table tennis, I was just lying around. People tend to forget those with disabilities. But once I found this sport, I had something to wake up for again.” Her determination to inspire others living with disabilities is palpable as she states, “If you enjoy something and commit to it, anything is possible.”
The Pacific Mini Games are scheduled to take place from June 29 to July 9, with a collective sense of excitement bubbling within the Fijian sports community. Rodan’s story resonates alongside a wave of other young athletes preparing for the event, showcasing resilience and teamwork that transcends individual competition.
Similar narratives of hope and perseverance echo among other athletes representing Fiji at the Mini Games, emphasizing the power of community support and the transformative potential of sports. As they aim for personal and national pride, their collective efforts and shared dreams paint an optimistic picture for the future of sports in Fiji.
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