Dreams have a way of turning into reality, and for Fijiana 7s players Maria Rokotuisiga and Adi Mereani Rogosau, this reality came in the form of being selected for the 15-member squad for the Paris Olympics.
From their teenage years, these two women dreamt of representing Fiji at the Olympics, and now that dream has materialized into a proud moment for both.
In an interview, Maria Rokotuisiga shared that making it to the Paris Olympics never crossed her mind. She credits her cousin and former 7s player, Ana Maria Roqica, for being her inspiration and guiding light in pursuing her rugby dreams. As the eldest of seven children and the sole provider for her family in Namosi, Maria considers this achievement a dream come true. She expressed her gratitude towards her cousin, family, team, and coach for their unwavering belief in her and their support throughout her journey.
Adi Mereani Rogosau, a 22-year-old policewoman from Serea, Naitasiri, also expressed her disbelief at being selected for the Fijiana 7s squad for the upcoming Paris Olympics. Despite facing various challenges along her rugby journey, including balancing training with her profession, Rogosau considers this opportunity a true blessing and a dream come true.
“As a police officer, balancing work and training was hard, but it has all paid off. It was a surprise for me; I didn’t expect to be selected, really grateful for the opportunity,” said Rogosau. “My grandma has always been my inspiration. I told her first about making the team. Training with my teammates has been challenging, but being chosen to represent my country at the Olympics is a blessing. It is a privilege to play with girls who have already won bronze in the last Olympics. They are like idols to me, and I’m happy to learn from them. Making the squad for the Olympics is a dream come true, and I never imagined I would be here.”