FAMILY is often the backbone to one's success. Heroes often attribute their success to their loved ones and Kavita Maharaj is one of them.
The Pacific Mini Games triple gold medallist struggled with a severe leg pain before she won three gold medals for Fiji. Maharaj attributes her recent success in the Cook Islands to her dad and Fiji Association of Sports and Olympics Committee (FASANOC) vice-president Atma Maharaj, who rallied behind her before she won her first gold medal in the 800m event.
Kavita said she took part in a charity run in Brisbane before flying into the country.
"I was part of a kidney charity race to help raise funds in Brisbane before I flew to Fiji for the Mini Games. Before the race I was complaining to my dad because of the pain in my leg," she revealed.
"It was really painful that I even wanted to give up running. But my dad came to me and encouraged me to give it a go. He told me that this would be an opportunity where I could win something for my country.
"I did not expect to win because I was complaining about my leg before the race. It was really hard for me but I managed to hold to what my dad told me earlier before the race."
The 22-year-old said she was nervous before the race and suddenly lost the pain at the sound of the gun to start the race.
Maharaj said nothing else was on her mind but to win something for her family and her country.
"When I started running there was no more pain and I gave it my best shot. Even though there was not really a tough competition with the exclusion of PNG, I am happy that I've won something to contribute to Fiji."
She said our attitude in approaching what we do determined the result.
"I maintained a positive attitude before the race and I believed in myself that I could do this even with the pain in my leg."
The Brisbane-based long distance specialist was over the moon with her achievements in Rarotonga.
She was impressed with her performance and described the Cook Islands experience as one she would remember in her athletics career. "I enjoyed myself out there. I never expected to win the three gold medals. I only intended to give my best shot. I did that and I'm so pleased with what I achieved."
She said she sacrificed a lot of time at training and wanted to win her first medal for Fiji after missing out at the 2003 South Pacific Games in Suva.
"The atmosphere there was absolutely good and I was very focused on doing my best. I have trained hard back at home (Brisbane) and I knew this is the only time to reward my self," she said.
"I was injured during the SPG in Fiji and now I came back in full force. I knew I had to prove my worth as being overseas-based."
She said the likes of Paulini Korowaqa, Banuve Tabakaucoro, Salote Naiula, Sereima Liku, Mataiasi Savou and Tevita Nalovo were future representatives for Fiji.
Maharaj said these youngsters needed exposure at international level.
"I've seen great potential in these athletes and they showed that during this Cook Games. Pau (Korowaqa) and Banuve are potentials athletes and more international games would help expose them to another level."
About Kavita
* She's still single;
* She's an academic staff at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia;
* She loves socialising with friends
* She plans to pursue a career in athletics apart from her normal job
* She has three brothers
Profile
Full name: Kavita Kush Mahraj
D.O.B: April 1, 1987, Suva
Father's name: Atma Maharaj
Mother's name: Kush Maharaj
Education: International School Suva (1992, 99), St Bernards Primary School (1993-98), Clairvaux Mackillop College (2000), Griffith University (2004).
Favourite Food: Pizza, Pasta
Favourite Drink: Ice-cream chocolate
Favourite Actress: Sandra Bullock
Favourite Actor: Paul Walker
Advice to Youth: Everyone is capable of achieving greater things no matter who we are. As long as we have the guts and dedication to strive for it we'll be successful.
