Ponipate Loganimasi made a pivotal choice by choosing to pursue rugby over attending university, a decision that has proven to be a fruitful one, thanks to his father’s unwavering support. Just under two years of playing with the national sevens team has seen Loganimasi make a significant impact on the global rugby scene.
This year, he achieved notable success, earning an Olympic silver medal with the men’s rugby sevens team. Furthermore, he was the sole Fijian player honored with a spot on the World Rugby Men’s Sevens Dream Team of the Year, an accolade announced recently.
Loganimasi’s impressive trajectory continued during the World Rugby’s Pacific Nations Cup in September, where he made his debut for the Flying Fijians. In the final match against Japan, he scored two tries, contributing to a remarkable 41-17 victory and helping his team retain the PNC title. In October, he took a significant step in his career by signing with the Fijian Drua.
Hailing from the village of Nabua in Koroalau, Cakaudrove, Loganimasi’s roots are in Lovoni, Ono-i-Lau. His father, Joeli Kalougata, expressed immense pride in his son’s accomplishments, noting that while the family initially encouraged him to follow a more traditional educational path at Brigham Young University in Utah, they respected his choice to pursue rugby instead.
Kalougata emphasized the importance of faith, hard work, and humility in his son’s journey, suggesting that these qualities have been crucial to Loganimasi’s rapid ascent in the sport. He highlighted that if rugby can provide for his family, he fully backs Loganimasi’s commitment to it.
In addition to his rugby accolades, Loganimasi is also a talented athlete in other sports. He won a gold medal in the 200m event at the Coca-Cola Games during his junior year at Navatu Secondary School and has experience in both rugby and indoor basketball during high school.
Joining Loganimasi on the esteemed Dream Team are players like Selvyn Davids (South Africa), Antoine Dupont (France), and Matías Osadczuk (Argentina), showcasing a remarkable array of global talent.
Overall, Loganimasi’s journey serves as an inspiring testament to following one’s passion, underscoring the idea that with dedication and support, significant achievements can be reached, regardless of conventional paths.
This positive framing highlights both the personal commitment and broader implications of pursuing sports, suggesting that other young athletes may also find inspiration in Loganimasi’s success.
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