13-year-old Jack Oakley will be representing Fiji in motorcycle racing for the first time on the world stage.
The grandson of the legendary Navtarang and Radio Sargam personality Anirudh Diwakar has joined the ESBK Superbike Championship in Spain, competing in the 150cc Moto4 category against some of the best young talents from around the globe.
Jack is part of the BRP Racing team based in Murcia, southern Spain, where his team is managed by Ben Reid, a former Australian world championship rider who was involved in the MotoGP and World Superbike paddocks for decades.
Oakley hopes to compete in the Spanish championship again next year, with the aim of becoming the first ever Pacific Island rider to qualify for the prestigious Asia Talent Cup in 2026 a key stepping stone to the World Championship.
Oakley says this year the focus is on learning as much as possible, with hopes to receive the right support to put Fiji on the podium next season.
He adds that while it will be very challenging, he is committed to training and continuously working hard to become stronger and faster.
Speaking to fijivillage News, Oakley’s mother, Shiwani Diwakar, says she is proud that her son will be representing Fiji on the global stage under the noble banner blue.
She adds that Jack has worked tirelessly despite the challenges and risks associated with motorcycle racing.
She emphasizes that Jack’s passion for motorcycling began when his father introduced him to the sport at the age of six, adding the passion grew even more when his parents would take him to MotoGP races.
Diwakar says Oakley’s inspiration came from sporting icons like Valentino Rossi and Marc Márquez, and that as a young boy, he would imitate their movements on his toy tricycle.
Oakley is encouraging Fijians not to be afraid to try something new or to take a different path.
