The sacrifices that my son did has really paid off – Atonio Kawakawa

The father of the Olympic gold medalist Iosefo Masi, says all the sacrifices that his son has made has paid off after he was chosen to represent the Fiji 7’s team and winning gold.

Atonio Kawakawa says Masi who is 23 years old, never took his eyes off wanting to become a professional rugby player and that was when they knew that some commitments must be made for him to achieve his dreams.

Kawakawa says his son left Taveuni when he was in Form 6 to attend Suva Grammar School and played in their Under 18 team that same year.

He says it was a tough decision but they knew this was the only way forward for him as they never saw each other for about 6 years after that.

He says when Masi was attending Fiji National University, he also played for Tabadamu and this was where Gareth Baber spotted him.

Kawakawa says Masi has always told his family that he will make them proud and by leaving Taveuni to come and achieve his dream, Masi has made the whole of Taveuni proud.

He says when the Fiji team was playing New Zealand in the final, that whole village of Waitabu came to a stand still and when Fiji won, they were celebrating like it was their own victory.

He says they have a small celebration planned for Masi when he returns from quarantine.