Josua Vakurunabili only wished his late father and mentor Ratu Luke Vidovi was still around to guide him through his dream of becoming an Olympian.

And this has driven the Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team gentle giant to press for an Olympic spot

After the death of his father, the late Taukei Nabili and Tui Conua last year,  Vakurunabili promised himself to face all challenges life brings.

After making his national 7s debut five years ago, the Fiji Corrections Service officer said he only wished his father was still alive to direct him through his rugby pathway as he usually did.

“My father played a big role in shaping my rugby career as he was my mentor, someone I leaned on when I was down,” Vakurunabili said.

“Representing Fiji in the World Sevens Series has always been my childhood dream and when I donned the white jersey, I then realised it’s more than just playing rugby for my country.

“It had commitments that weighed a lot with sacrifices and courage, to face all the good and the bad and my dad was there to motivate me, encourage me and drive me through it all.”

This month marks one year since the passing of the late Tui Conua and a step closer to Vakurunabili making his dream come true to make the Olympic team to Japan.

“I  have been dreaming of becoming an Olympian after 2016 victory in Rio and I have been aiming for this moment for the past five years,” he added.

Vakurunabili has a lot to play and he has young family too look after.

“The birth of my son and marrying the love of my life, I now have something to play for and I will give everything I have to make the final

team for the Tokyo Olympics,” he said.

“I have a wife that supports me and keeps me focused on the goal ahead and a son that makes me proud and keeps me working hard

making him proud.

“;I’ve something worth playing for especially my mother who has always been there for me.”

Vakurunabil’s father played for Nadroga and his older brother Ratu Inia Tukere also played for the Fiji 7s team in 2012, played forNadroga, Tailevu and Suva in local provincial rugby and is a soldier by profession.

Vakurunabili played 143 matches in the World Sevens Series amassed 235 points, scored 47 tries and copping seven yellow cards in the past five years.

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