Selina Sanday Seau is a true example of a champion who has faced lots of difficulties but chose to push through life.
After representing Fiji twice at the Badminton Oceania Victor Para championship, she is switching to the Shot Put, Discus and Javelin events at the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands next month.
The 44-year-old is happily married with three children and her oldest daughter has just started medical school.
Having a hearing impairment, a prosthetic leg and a short limb in her dominant hand, Seau had to learn to use her left hand to do everything and has her own unique way in which she communicates with her children.
Seau shares that God has helped her to realise her potential and chose to build on what she can do after she had isolated herself from society at one stage, and felt she was not worth being part of anything.
Today, Selina is living an active life as a mum, wife and elite athlete and is grateful for her supportive spouse and family that helps her achieve her goals.
Recently Seau travelled with one of the 4 Team Fiji General Managers’ Josaia Tuinamata to the Solomon Islands for classification.
Tuinamata explained that since having recently switched sports, as per Games Regulations, Para Athletes are to be classified prior to competitions.
He says after her classification, the doctors will have to watch her take up in her event.
During this time, the Solomon Islands Athletics had organised a championship for their own, and it was a chance for Seau to participate for her classification where she won herself two silver medals and a bronze.
Tuinamata says Selina has an incredible story to tell and people should look forward to watching her compete as she is a strong medal contender at this year’s Pacific Games.
Another gold medal prospect is Semiti Matanitobua, a visually impaired athlete who is not only poised to win gold in the Shot Put but also to qualify for Paris under his classification.
Matanitobua’s classification enables him to qualify for Paris by throwing over 7 metres, currently, he is throwing 10 metres.
Tuinamata says our athletes are fighters, and we hope the nation will get behind them and show the support they need and deserve.
7 para-athletes will be representing Team Fiji in the Pacific Games with 4 in Table Tennis, while the other 3 will be taking part in their respective field events.
Team Fiji will be presenting their itatau today and will depart our shoes for the Solomon Islands next Tuesday for the Games that will be held from Nov 18th to 2nd December.
