Evans’ Bucket List: Lovoni In Ono-I-Lau

When “kaivalagi” looking Flynn Tui Evans introduces himself as Fiji­an, he is often met with surprise.

“I am Fijian; I just look quite kaivalagi,” the Suva-born son of former Marist Broth­ers High School rugby player, Daniel Evans, said.

Now residing in New Zealand, where his mother hails from, the young Mr Evans is not as old as he looks.

“A lot of people are surprised when I tell them I am still only 17,” Mr Flynn said.

He is an amateur Mixed Martial Arts fight­er, who represented New Zealand with a Fiji flag - when sponsors allowed him to.

An inspiration in sport

A high achiever, he lives to overcome any­thing that stands in the way of his chances of getting to the top.

“My main goal is to give back to my com­munity; to show people back home that rug­by is not the only athletic pathway we can take,” Mr Evans said.

“One of my biggest inspirations on this journey is a fighter from Fiji who trains out of the same gym CoreMMA, Carlos Hicks.

“His success in kickboxing motivates me to be on his level.”

Mr Hicks has gained a respected reputa­tion in Fiji’s combat sport space.

“We both want to give back to our commu­nities.

“One way we have identified that is by bringing combat sports to Fiji,” Mr Evans said.

“Carlos wants to build a gym in Fiji as he believes creating these opportunities for children within the sport would bring great success.

A beach front in Ono-i-Lau, in the Lau group.

Dubai: I want to be a champ

He recently returned from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, where he represented New Zealand at the 2022 International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) Youth World Championships.

“I didn’t get the result I wanted,” Mr Evans said.

“The loss made me realise some of the mistakes I was making within my training routine.

“It also allowed me to get a scope of the level of international competition.”

The loss helped him identify what he needs to work on, in order to be champ.

“We don’t come here to take part, we come here to take over.”

Where in Fiji would you take friends to?

Suva, where I was born, before we moved to New Zealand, when I was a toddler.

Vunibau, Serua, where my maternal grandmother’s links are tied to.

I will take them to places my family hails from, because that is the real Fiji for me.

I’d like to show my friends that Fiji is more than resorts and hotels.

What is your favourite spot for a coffee or pie?

There are many great places for coffee throughout Fiji.

I miss food from Fiji so anything local is a must when I am back at home.

What is your favourite backyard spot?

Fiji.

I may be representing New Zealand, but I am still Fijian at heart.

My favourite backyard spot is somewhere I can play a backyard game of rugby.

What are some places in Fiji on your bucket list?

Taveuni and Lovoni, Ono-i-Lau, as that is where my family is from.

Feedback: frederica.elbourne@fijisun.com.fj