GERARD Takayawa eats, sleeps, dreams judo and has only one mission in life — to be Fiji’s next judo star.
“I love judo, and I want to win medals for Fiji someday. ”
Takayawa told this newspaper.
The young lad from Tovu Village of Totoya, Lau, with maternal links in Tonga, comes from a great judo family legacy with his uncles, siblings and cousins all having represented Fiji in the sport.
Takayawa finished Year 8 at the Dayspring Christian College in Tamavua and is headed to Suva Grammar School when the school year begins.
Standing at 1.83 metres and weighing 81 kilograms, the soft-spoken giant tends to do his talking on the mat.
Takayawa left Fiji’s shores on Tuesday for Ryugasaki City in the Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.
There he will attend a three-week training camp at the Ryutsu Keizai University and learn from some of the greatest experts in the martial arts discipline.
“This will be my second trip,” he said.
“The first time I went to the training camp was a very scary experience.”
He first went in December of 2017 for a three-month stint when 11 years old.
Takayawa said the sessions were so intense on his first trip that at moments the pain was unbearable.
“I had a lot of bruises and cried because it hurt so much.”
But he never gave up.
Takayawa was commended by instructors on the strength of his character, his determination and the never give up attitude he brought to the game.
“I am going back again now, and I know I will enjoy it this time around because although the pain is there, I have to remember I do this for my family and for Fiji.”
Fiji Judo Association sports director Nemani Takayawa said it was a remarkable achievement for the young judoka being able to attend such trying camps at his age.
“When I first went I was 16 and even found the training camps a real test.” Nemani said.
“For him being able to go at such an early age shows the quality athlete he is. “And we know he is destined for greatness.”
