Bronze and brave, 16-year-old Iris Fisher makes waves for Fiji on the world stage

At just 16-years-old, Iris Bentley Fisher has paddled her way into the hearts of Fijians everywhere.

Competing for the first time on the world stage at the 2025 International Va’a Federation World Distance Championships in Brazil, Iris claimed a bronze medal in the grueling V1 Junior 16 12km race — a remarkable achievement for the young athlete and a proud moment for Fiji.

Fiji Outrigger President, Loretta St Julian-Ooms, says Iris showed incredible poise and strength, and her performance is a testament to the spirit, talent, and determination of Fiji’s paddling community.

Iris’s success was part of a strong showing by Team Fiji, which fielded seven paddlers across multiple categories at the championships in Niterói.

Julian-Ooms says the team built on their recent triumphs at the 2025 Palau Mini Games, where every Fiji Va’a athlete returned home with a medal.

She highlighted standout athletes such as Elenoa Vateitei, a Palau gold medallist, who competed in the V1 Open Women 16km marathon. Despite battling equipment issues, Elenoa’s resilience and calm under pressure embodied the true spirit of a champion.

Other top performances included Pierre Guyot’s 4th place in the V1 Masters 60, Karel Ooms’s 6th in the V1 Junior 16, and Raymond Rusivakula’s 9th in the V1 Open Men 16km.

Coach Stanley Ooms praised the team’s determination in facing tough conditions, jet lag, and unfamiliar waters, saying every paddler gave their all, supported one another, and raced with pride.

With support from the Fiji National Sports Commission and Yadra Fiji, the 11-member Fiji delegation joined 800 competitors from 26 countries. Beyond racing, the team also embraced cultural exchanges, including canoe blessings and cultural evenings, representing Fiji’s mana and Bula spirit on the global stage.

Looking ahead, Fiji Outrigger is preparing for local events such as the V1 Sprints Regatta at Wailoloa Beach and the Junior Va’a Regatta in Nadi, focusing on developing the next generation of paddlers.

Coach Ooms says Fiji’s future lies in its young paddlers, and the focus is on nurturing their growth — not just for medals, but for the legacy of Va’a in Fiji.