Page 29 - Fiji Traveller Issue 4

Sisilia Naisiga took up judo at the age of 15 in a journey that Family matters
has taken her to Japan, the Olympics and now Nanuku Resort As Naisiga was doing her hard yards in another part of the
in Pacific Harbour. world, she always kept her family in mind.
Naisiga hails from Macuata in Vanua Levu with maternal links “My mom and dad separated when I was four years old. I went
to Naitasiri in Viti Levu. through lots of things. But it's amazing how God can lift us up. I
“When I was attending Cathedral Secondary School, I lived didn't take the negative side. I just wanted to strive for something
with my uncle who was a police officer. That time, a Japanese good,” she said.
volunteer from JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), Naisiga’s late mother, a domestic worker at the time, would
came and taught martial arts at the police academy in Nasese,” host gunu sedes (a traditional form of fundraising) to help fund
she recalls. her trips overseas. “I would travel with coins in my pockets. It
“One afternoon, my uncle asked me to take a lesson. Once I didn't bother me because it was still money. When I returned, I
entered the gym, the coach threw a uniform at me to get changed would bring home chocolates,” she said.
and start training.” The family bond continues to this day, and Naisiga says her
Naisiga remembers being thrown to the ground by younger main reward is seeing her daughter, who’s currently in Year 8,
kids like “a piece of paper”. “Even though I put on full strength, following in her footsteps.
they were just throwing me, and I was like, ‘This is interesting!’ “My daughter recently competed in the Takayawa Cup in
“So the next time I went on the mat, I did not talk as I was so February, and won her weight category,” she said.
eager to learn everything,” she said.
That determination to learn led Naisiga to represent Fiji in judo Bula Nanuku
in multiple international competitions. Naisiga transitioned into the tourism industry to support her
“I went to play in Japan. My coach Mr Hasegawa, who has daughter, joining the luxurious Nanuku Resort in Pacific Harbour
passed away, sent me to a competition in Tokyo for a week. The in 2013.
following year, I went to a competition in Fukuoka. One of my She started work there as a security officer.
coaches had a friend in the sport and they got interested in the “I was so thankful. So, the HR asked me, ‘Do you have any
way I played and wanted me to join their judo club and live with experience working in the tourism industry?’ I said no, it was
them. So that's how I spent eight years in Japan from 2000 to never on my list. All I knew was saying Bula!”
2008,” she said. From security officer, Naisiga moved to the spa activities team.
While in Japan, Naisiga competed in the 2004 Athens Now she is the resort’s first wellness coach.
Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Olympics. “I teach the guests many sporting activities like boxing, sailing,
“I loved being there. I was the flag bearer in Athens and walking snorkelling, and take them hiking to nearby waterfalls. Hiking
through that large crowded stadium, you just can't explain that and snorkelling are guest favourites,” she said.
feeling. The atmosphere is incomparable to the South Pacific Naisiga loves her job and believes the resort has prospered
Games,” she said. post-Covid because of the union that exists amongst the
Years of hard work had paid off for Naisiga, although she workers. “We work like a village tribe. Even though there were
recalls being a little star struck by some of the world’s best few or no guests and some being laid off [during Covid], we
athletes. helped maintain the whole place.”
“The people I competed against at the Olympics were the Whether in the dojo or outdoors, Naisiga is definitely living the
ones I wouldn't normally compete against - they are really best of both worlds and she hopes to see others succeed in her
strong! And even though you train really hard, their techniques field.
are different. Though I may be nervous at times, yet I get this “We have good judokas, but they need more improvement. I
urge to throw them. They're just too good! My first opponent really want to encourage our young competitors to always aim
was from the Netherlands. She's really tall so I had to be quick. high,” she said.
Technique is very important because when you get close, you
get thrown,” she chuckled. nanukuresort.com

29