Swapping squash for volleyball helps push Tabakaucoro to her limit

Switching sports is now something that is pushing 22-year-old Roko Eka Tabakaucoro to her limit as she prepares to represent Fiji in volleyball at this year’s Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands.

Growing up, Roko Eka always played squash but she decided to set a goal of trying out other sports which is finally paying off for her now.

Roko Eka, who is a Radiologic technologist by profession, says being named in the team to represent Fiji in Volleyball at her first Pacific Games was not surprising as she was very confident of her abilities and knowing her limitations and this achievement is rewarding.

Being closely related to Pacific Sprint King Banuve Tabakaucoro, Roko Eka knows that there are a lot of expectations associated with her name.

She says although Banuve has set a high standard in our family, she is sure that she can also set a standard in Volleyball.

Roko Eka says the whole family is proud of Banuve's achievements and it is now up to her and others to move on and create a name for themselves.

While she will be taking part in her first Pacific Games, the 22-year-old is no stranger to representing the country as she first got the opportunity to represent Fiji while playing Squash.

The former Savusavu Secondary School student says her love for sports came from her competitive family.

She says as a family, they were competitive not only academically but also when doing anything around the house.

She further says she treats everything she does, whether on the court or off it, as a competition and she hopes to get the opportunity to learn from some of the region's best in the sport and, in the process, win a medal for Fiji.

The indoor competition will be held at the Friendship Hall in Honiara, Solomon Islands, from next Friday to the 25th of November 2023.

The Team Fiji Volleyball Women’s side has yet to win a gold medal at the Pacific Games, with their best performance being the 2007 Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa, where they won a silver medal.