Waisake Tewa, a 20-year-old former Nakasi High School sprinter, will represent Fiji in the Men’s 100m event at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Tewa, one of the fastest men in Fiji, has faced numerous personal and financial challenges on his journey to the Olympic stage.
At the Oceania Invitational and Athletics Championship 2024 in Suva, Tewa had to depend on the generosity of fellow athletes for basic gear such as track shoes, which he finds too expensive to purchase on his own.
“To get these shoes is quite expensive, and because I am not working, I cannot afford them,” Tewa explained.
Travel and access to training facilities further compound his struggles, impacting his preparation for competitions.
“I have a hard time getting to the tracks to train because I have to use money to travel and then pay for the use of the tracks or gym in order to work out,” he shared.
Tewa moved to Suva in 2021 during the lockdown and enrolled at Nakasi High School to further his athletic ambitions.
His dedication paid off when he represented Fiji at the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands, participating in the 100m, 200m, and relay events. Tewa earned his first Pacific Games silver medal in the 4x100m Relay.
Balancing athletics with education, Tewa is also pursuing a certificate in Carpentry Engineering at the Fiji National University.
Athletics at the 2024 Paris Olympics is scheduled to run from 1-11 August 2024.