Rodan Snr: Fiji has lost a great son

Fiji has lost a son.

Those were the words of former national athletics coach, athlete and marketing professional Joseph Rodan Snr as he mourned the death of his son and namesake, Joseph Rodan Jnr.

Affectionately known as JJ, Rodan Jnr died in Lami on Tuesday. He was 48.

His passing marks another personal tragedy for Rodan Snr, who lost another son in 2014 and his wife in 2020.

Rodan Snr said his son made a significant contribution to athletics and sport in Fiji.

JJ, a trained commercial lawyer and businessman, represented Fiji in athletics at regional, Pacific and international levels across multiple disciplines, including the 100 metres, long jump, hurdles, pole vault and the decathlon.

He won his first decathlon gold medal at the age of 17 and went on to represent Fiji in the event for 10 years.

“He was still a student at Marist Brothers High School when he won his first gold medal in decathlon at the Pacific Games in Tahiti,” Rodan Snr said.

Following that success, JJ was awarded a scholarship to the University of California, Irvine, where he spent six years studying and training.

He completed a Bachelor of Commerce in the United States while continuing to represent Fiji at the Pacific Games and Commonwealth Games.

In 2019, JJ was inducted into the Fiji Sports Hall of Fame.

Beyond competition, Rodan Snr said his son played a key role in developing local athletes and strengthening athletics administration in Fiji.

“He was instrumental in coaching many upcoming athletes and coached Saint Joseph Secondary School to the Coca-Cola Games,” said the Tailevu Rugby Union president.

“He also helped establish a new constitution for Fiji Athletics when I was president, which is still enforced today.”

Rodan Snr said JJ also worked to make athletics more financially sustainable and was a strong advocate for professional sports management.

He described his son as a devoted family man.

“He looked after his children and was a great father,” he said.

“He always wanted to help people achieve what they loved doing and see them progress.”

Outside sport, JJ contributed widely to Fiji’s business community, assisting individuals with business planning and organising seminars.

“He was involved in import and export and helped many people set up their businesses,” Rodan Snr said.

“He was a go-getter, a strong Christian, and someone I relied on as a sounding board.”

He said their relationship was built on mutual respect and shared ideas.

“Our relationship as father and son was like business partners,” he said.

“He was well-versed in sport, the economy and politics and helped many people in Fiji.”

JJ is survived by his wife and six children.

His funeral service will be held on January 24 at Immaculate Conception Parish Church in Lami, with Mass at 9.30am.

Career highlights (abridged box-ready)

• 1994 – Oceania Athletics Championships U18: Silver (100m hurdles, 400m hurdles)
• 1995, 1997, 1999, 2003 – Pacific & Mini Games: Gold (Decathlon)
• 1996 – Samoa National Games: Gold (100m, Long Jump, 110m Hurdles)
• 1998 – Commonwealth Games (Malaysia): 11th (Decathlon)
• 2002 – Commonwealth Games (Manchester): 12th (Decathlon); Pole vault 4.45m (Fiji record – still standing)
• 2001 – UC Irvine Varsity Athlete of the Year
• 2016 – Merit Award, Oceania Athletics Association
• 2018 – Athletics Section Manager, Commonwealth Games (Gold Coast)
• 2019 – Athletics Section Manager, Pacific Games (Samoa); inducted into Fiji Sports Hall of Fame