Waisake Tewa, a 20-year-old former Nakasi High School sprinter, will represent Fiji as the sole entrant in the Men’s 100m event at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Tewa, dubbed one of the fastest men in Fiji, has overcome numerous personal and financial challenges to reach the Olympic stage. During the Oceania Invitational and Athletics Championship 2024 in Suva, he relied on the generosity of fellow athletes for essential equipment like track shoes, which he couldn’t afford.
“To get these shoes is quite expensive and because I am not working I cannot afford them,” Tewa explained.
The young sprinter also faces difficulties with training logistics, struggling to cover travel and facility costs.
“I also 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 said.
After moving to Suva in 2021 to better pursue his athletic ambitions, Tewa enrolled at Nakasi High School following his time at Saqani High School. His dedication bore fruit when he represented Fiji at the 2023 Pacific Games in Solomon Islands, competing in the 100m, 200m, and relay events and securing a silver medal in the 4x100m Relay.
In addition to his athletic endeavors, Tewa is pursuing a certificate in Carpentry Engineering at the Fiji National University, balancing his studies with training.
Athletics at the 2024 Paris Olympics is scheduled to take place from August 1-11, 2024.