The Team Fiji para-athletes are anticipating on a tough competition at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

The team arrived in Japan on Saturday and was met by Japan’s Fijian Embassy first secretary, Kelera Savu at Narita Airport.

Athletes Iosefo Rakesa and Inosi Bulimairewa Matea, will both be competing in field events.

The duo will compete for javelin next Monday (August 30) while Rakesa will compete for shot put on the following Saturday (September 4).

And coach, Freddy Fatiaki, is keen that the duo will do their best at their first Paralympic Games.

“The competition will be tough,” he said.

“We will be competing with some of the best in the world in the different categories and we are just hoping for the best.

“We will see how we go come competition day and towards the end of competition.”

Fatiaki was also the coach of Paralympic gold medalist Iliesa Delana.

Team Fiji para athletic coach Freddy Fatiaki (left) and Iosefo Rakesa train in Japan on August 21, 2021. Photo: Fiji Paralympic Committee

And with the COVID-19 pandemic, preparations and competitions was a drawback.

However, that did not deter their preparations for the Paralympic Games.

Coaach Fatiaki trained Rakesa at his backyard in his Nausori home while Matea trained in Australia where he is based.

“Inosi (Matea) was our former athlete way back in 2009-2010, was part of the Suva swimming team. He then moved to Australia and then after few years he decided to come back and join us in athletics, I think three years ago,” Fatiaki said.

“This will be their first Olympics.

“The last time we competed in the regional and international meet was 2019, that was the only for the competition until Paralympic. The only downfall was the competition wise but we will try our best.”

In an interview with Fiji Paralympic Committee, Inosi spoke of his preparation in Australia, isolation, and his journey to Fiji.

“We have had Covid-19 restrictions at my base in Wollongong, NSW, including a recent three-week lockdown. I couldn’t access the gym or facilities for practicing throwing. So, I was restricted to training with resistance bands and dumbbells,” he said.

He wants to reach out to young people overcoming a disability: “For every disability there is an ability. You must find that ability.”

Meanwhile, Rakesa will be Team Fiji’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony tomorrow which starts at 10pm (Fiji Time).

TEAM FIJI FOR TOKYO 2020 PARALYMPICS

• Athletics 

1. Inosi Bulimairewa Matea, Athlete – Javelin

2. Iosefo Rakesa, Athlete – Javelin and shot put

3. Freddy Fatiaki, Coach

• Team Fiji HQ

1. Dr Rounak Lal, Chef De Mission 

2. Shivanjani Singh, Secretary General

Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj