It’s always an experience worth mentioning that we need to learn from the past if we are to progress and have a brighter future.

Our Fijian 7s squad members are in Australia preparing for the Tokyo Olympics and kudos to those that make it happen.

Special thanks to the Australian Government’s PacificAus Sports programme, the Queensland Government and Townsville City Council for coming to our rescue.

Undoubtedly this Tokyo Olympics is more relevant now than ever as our 7s stars look to light up a Games and the world impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are going through a testing, terrible time that stretches all to the limit with Unions and clubs bleeding and hurting around the world and the game has suffered enormously.

But despite the hardships and struggles we go through, we should always have that positive mentality and energy that one day, eventually, there would be light at the end of the tunnel.

We went through a similar catastrophe five years ago when Tropical Cyclone Winston destroyed much of what we have as a nation.

Given the context of what’s going on in the world and where rugby is at the moment, it takes real champions to win the Olympic spectacle.

We can proudly boast that rugby sevens has turned our players into real champions and they in turn helped our people celebrate like never before.

After TC Winston struck in February, 2016 the Osea Kolinisau-captained side summoned the world with a ‘Stronger Than Winston’ statement by lifting the main prize after winning the Las Vegas 7s in United States a month later.

And six months later at the Rio Olympics, the Ben Ryan-coached side won Fiji’s first ever gold medal at the four-yearly showpiece.

The PacificAus Sports Oceania Sevens on June 25-27 in Townsville would be the final dress rehearsal for Gareth Baber’s men before the July 26-31 event at the Tokyo Stadium.

Catastrophes, setbacks and constant pressures have turned our people into world beaters.

And there is no perfect way to gauge our performance than playing Trans-Tasman neighbours Australia and New Zealand

This will be the first time Australia, Fiji and New Zealand have competed together since the cancelation of the 2020 World Rugby Sevens Series.

Fiji Rugby Union president and Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama reiterated we would overcome whatever the setback likebefore.

And we could do it again by making the world take notice by shining on the world stage.

Our 7s stars have the chance to light up our world yet again.

Feedback: oseab@fijisun.com.fj