At just 21 years old, Raina Saanvi Kumar has made history as the first female golfer from Fiji to earn an official world ranking. This milestone marks a significant moment not only for Kumar but also for women’s sports in Fiji, positioning her as one of the country’s most promising young athletes.
Recently returning from a high-performance training camp in New Zealand, Kumar dedicated weeks to honing her skills and enhancing her competitive mindset. Her next major challenge is the prestigious Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Golf Event in Wellington, scheduled for February, which presents a vital opportunity to elevate her career.
Kumar’s journey in golf traces back to family weekends spent on the course, inspired by her father’s love for the sport. The involvement of her mother and brother transformed golf into a cherished family activity, which laid the foundation for Raina’s burgeoning passion. “My dad played golf, and he introduced the sport to my brother and I, and eventually my mother joined the sport too,” Kumar shared.
Before committing to golf, Raina dabbled in swimming and tennis, but it was in 2014, at the age of ten, that she first picked up a golf club. By 2016, her dedication to the sport solidified, leading her to numerous victories both in Fiji and internationally. Kumar’s resume boasts impressive wins at events such as the Fiji Open, Fiji Golf Classic, and the Denarau Golf Club Championship, establishing her name as one of the leading female golfers in the nation.
Her international experience began early; she represented Fiji at the 2017 Pacific Mini Games, bringing home a team bronze medal, and continued her journey at the 2019 Pacific Games and the 2022 Pacific Mini Games, where she secured sixth place. In 2023, she was set to compete in the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands, but a cyclone disrupted travel, causing a clash with her academic commitments.
Kumar’s recent world ranking not only opened doors to future competitions but also garnered an invitation to prestigious events, including the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Academy in Wellington. Remarkably, she balances her athletic ambitions with academic pursuits as a second-year medical student at Fiji National University’s College of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences. The challenge of managing rigorous studies alongside high-level training has become part of her daily routine, with early mornings and late nights becoming the norm.
Outside of her academic and athletic life, Raina finds joy in swimming, beach outings, and gym workouts, which allow her to recharge amidst a demanding schedule. With a world ranking under her belt and international competitions on the horizon, Kumar is determined to represent Fiji globally, aspire for professional golf, and ultimately secure a gold medal at the Pacific Games.
Her story is still unfolding, but Raina’s journey represents more than personal success; it serves as a potential source of inspiration for young girls in Fiji to pursue their passions in sports. As she continues to train, study, and redefine what is possible for women’s golf in her country, there is little doubt that Raina Saanvi Kumar is set to leave an indelible mark on the sport. “My goal is to represent Fiji and win international events, win a gold medal for Fiji at the Pacific Games, play professional golf and inspire more young girls to take up golf,” she stated, highlighting her ambitious vision for the future.
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