“Hard work pays off” – this is the sentiment expressed by Joji Nasova, Team Fiji men’s 7s rugby winger, as the team left the country yesterday in pursuit of their third consecutive Olympic gold medal.
Nasova, a native of Toge, Ba, who also has familial connections to Tabalei in Ba, made his tournament debut at the Hong Kong 7s earlier this year. The 23-year-old had previously spent a year playing in Beijing, China under contract for the Dominion Brothers Rugby Club, following a discovery by a Beijing club.
Expressing gratitude to his coaches for the opportunity to represent his country in the Olympics, Nasova acknowledged the team’s intensive training to form the final 15-member squad. “Our goal is to maintain our Olympic gold status,” he said.
With Fiji being consecutive champions in the 7s sport at the Olympics, Nasova is aware of the great expectations placed on him and his teammates. “We’ve won back to back, and we aim to bring home the gold medal once again,” he commented.
Notably, Nasova has already demonstrated his skills on the national level. He was instrumental in the team’s gold-winning performance at the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands last year. This exceptional performance at the Fiji Bitter Marist 7s tournament has subsequently led to his inclusion in the national 7s main squad.
Nasova shares his rugby passion with his relatives – current 7s player Kaminieli Rasaku and former national 7s player Ponipate Kato.
Original article: Nasova: Boys have done the hard yards on [The Fiji Times](https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/nasova-boys-have-done-the-hard-yards/)