It was a good day for Fiji Judo as women judokas dominated the single discipline in Faleata, Samoa yesterday. The Fijian women judokas collected three gold medals, one silver and one bronze medal in the five weight categories.

Shanice Takayawa, 21, won gold in the 70kg, her younger sister Nathalyn won gold in the 63kg while 29-year-old Keresi Farouk won gold in the 78kg while Blossom Yee Joy grabbed a bronze medal in the 78kg and Elizabeth Valentine won silver in the +78kg category.

Just like their dad and former national judoka champion Nacanieli Takayawa, it was not only winning gold but it was also a special moment for the Takayawa sisters as they became the first siblings to achieve that at the Games.

CHALLENGES

Nathalyn talked about thechallenges she went through during preparation.

“We were training in Japan for a month and before we went to Japan I dislocated my elbow and I thank God for the healing as I managed to go to Japan and train. I thank God for helping us along the way,” she said.

Her elder sister Shanice commended their dad Nacanieli for his input into their preparation.

“We give glory and honour back to God. Our dad always reminded us to pray and read our Bible and also to work hard.”

The duo’s success had their mum Michelle in tears as she watched her daughters stand on the podium to receive their gold medals.

“We were expecting them to win gold because they had trained so hard but I was nervous at first because they had injuries earlier on during their preparations.

“I’m proud of their performance and my husband and I are their biggest supporters. I always push them to do their best,” Michelle said.

SACRIFICES

Farouk said she had given up smoking and drinking in her mission to win the gold medal. |

“During training, I made those sacrifice. Training was intense but I had to endure it if I want to win gold. And I guess all my sacrifices have paid off.”

Today, they’ll continue with team events and the women are expected to win another gold as well.

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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