Takayawa On Course For Commonwealth
Ryutsu Keizai University Kashiwa High School student Gerard Takayawa had five straight wins in the first day of the Kinshuki High School Judo tournament in Japan.
His results so far paves the way to his achieving his goal to at lay his hands on a medal at this year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Leading to the Commonwealth Games, Gerard is in the Open Weight category team competition. The winner of the contest stays on the mat until he is defeated.
The 16-year-old is attending Ryutau Keizai University Kashiwa High School and is expected to join Team Fiji soon after the judo tournament.
Judo is not new to him as the Tovu, Totoya, Lau lad is a third generation judoka.
This is his first Commonwealth Games and he is determined to carry on the legacy left by his grandfather the late Viliame Takayawa Senior and now team manager and uncle Nacanieli Takayawa.
Coach Mike Liptrot (left) with Tevita Takayawa at the GB National Training Centre. Photo: Fiji Judo Association
Judo has a distinguished record for the Commonwealth performance with Nacanieli winning the gold in the 2002 Commonwealth Games held in Manchester.
Sisilia Nasiga had won bronze in the women 70kg category at the same Games.
Like every athlete Gerard is going for a medal.
“Every athlete is going into the Commonwealth Games to win a medal, otherwise there is no point in going,” he said.
“It has been difficult leading up to the Games as I need to train twice every day, juggling these with school work is hard.”
Gerard says taking part in the Commonwealth is to gain experience while preparing for the International Judo Federation World Tour later in the year.
While Gerard is training in Japan, Tevita has been training in Birmingham under Mike Liptrot.
Liptrot is the chief coach of the Kendal Dojo and holder of a second dan in judo; he has trained in the discipline for 53 years.
Gerard’s cousin Shanice the lone woman judoka has been training at home.
Team Fiji is represented in the following sports: athletics, para athletics, boxing, lawn bowls, judo, sevens rugby men, sevens rugby women, squash, swimming, table tennis, para table tennis, triathlon and weightlifting.
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