It is that time of the year again. In a few days we will be saying our goodbyes to 2021 and at the same time welcome 2022.

Already there are a lot of anticipation for 2022.

The commencement of the HSBC World Sevens Series, the Oceania Football qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup and our Swire Shipping Fijian Drua debut in the Super Rugby Pacific competition.

In actual fact it’s going to get even better as the year progresses with a possible Flying Fijians Test match against Australia and France as talks are still on going.

This is apart from the newly revised 2022 fixtures of local football, rugby, volleyball, rugby league competitions.

The competition formats are designed to make it more exciting for everyone to watch.

However, no one denies the fact that this has been a challenging year.

The pandemic caused disruption on international flights through strict quarantine protocols travellers had to adhere to.

For us, what was rewarding was the men’s and women’s rugby sevens teams medal winning performances at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.

Then the promising performance of the Flying Fijians during Test matches against the All Blacks and Wales.

Although we lost, the valuable lesson is how we stood up to their challenge.

Here’s my highlight of Best Players for 2021:

SPORTSMAN of the YEAR

Seremaia (Jerry) Tuwai is SUNSports Sportsman of the year. Photo: World Rugby

Jerry Tuwai (Sevens Rugby): The only Fijian to win two Olympic Games gold medals (2016 and 2020).

Jerry is also World Rugby Player of the Decade and 2019 WR Sevens Player of the Year.

SPORTSWOMAN of the YEAR

Rusila Nagasaui is SUNSports Sportswoman of the year. Photo: World Rugby

Rusila Nagasau (Women’s Sevens Rugby): Captained the Fijiana 7s team to a bronze medal win at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Played for the Fijiana XVs as they qualified for next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup.

She continues her role in promoting women’s rugby in the country.

RUGBY PLAYER of the YEAR

Sam Matavesi SUNSports Rugby player of the year. Photo: World Rugby

Sam Matavesi (Rugby): The Northampton Saints and Flying Fijians hooker is one of our standout players.

He played in all this year’s 5 Tests matches.

He plays a commanding role in the breakdown area and has made a number of strong performances with calls also made for Matavesi to be tried out as captain.

FOOTBALLER of the YEAR

Roy Krishna is SUNSports Footballer of the year. Photo: IPL

Roy Krishna (ATK Mohun Bagan): it was a close call between him and Lautoka striker Sairusi Nalaubu.

What gave Roy the edge was him being the first Fijian to play in the Asian Football Confederation’s Asia Cup, mid this year.

Contender: Sairusi Nalaubu (Lautoka)

RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER of the YEAR

Viliame Kikau is SUNSports Rugby League player of the year. Photo: www.townsvillebulletin.com.au

Viliame Kikau: A local product who played for Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League and the Fijian Bati internationally.

This year Kikau starred for Panthers as they won the NRL title and is rumoured to be the highest paid second rower in Australia.

Contention: Penioni Tagituimua (Fijian Silktails)

COACH of the YEAR

Fijiana 7s coach, Saiasi Fuli SUNSports Coach of the year. Photo: Fiji Sun File

Saiasi Fuli (Fijiana 7s): He took the women’s sevens team from nowhere to third place at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Remarkable achievement.

MANAGER of the YEAR

Former sevens rugby manager Jone Niurua is SUNSports Manager of the year. Photo: Fijian Government FB Page

Jone Niurua (Sevens Rugby): Very humble and works hard behind the scene.

BOXER of the YEAR

Alivereti Kauyaca is SUNSports Boxer of the year. Photo: Leon Lord

Alivereti Kauyaca: The unbeaten Fijian cruiserweight champion stays grounded and earns everyone’s respect.

He does not post on social media to boast about his achievements or to issue challenges on other boxers.

In the ring he has beaten Eroni Ligaloa and the Naliva brothers- Filipino Jnr and Savenaca.

Contender: Jesé Ravudi (welterweight)

Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj