Five Fijian athletes have been awarded Olympic Scholarships for Athletes LA 2028 through the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Olympic Solidarity Programme, as part of their preparation pathway toward the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
FASANOC confirms the athletes are Viliame Ratulu – Sailing, Gerard Takayawa – Judo, David Young – Swimming, Heleina Young – Athletics, and Lolohea Naitasi – Taekwondo.
FASANOC says the Olympic Scholarships for the Athletes Programme provides targeted financial and technical assistance to athletes with strong potential to qualify for the Olympic Games.
They say this is delivered through National Olympic Committees, and the programme enables recipients to access high-performance training environments and international competition opportunities critical to Olympic qualification.
Through this scholarship, athletes will receive a monthly grant supporting access to international training camps and elite facilities, specialist coaching, medical and scientific support, insurance coverage, accommodation and living support, competition travel, including Olympic qualification events.
FASANOC, as Fiji’s National Olympic Committee, will oversee the implementation, monitor athlete progress, ensure compliance with Olympic Solidarity guidelines, and work closely with respective National Federations to maximise performance outcomes.
FASANOC Secretary General-CEO, Vanessa Kilner says the scholarships represent a major milestone in Fiji’s high-performance journey toward LA 2028.
Kilner says this is a significant achievement for these five athletes and for Fiji as a whole.
She says the IOC Olympic Solidarity Scholarship Programme provides the critical support our athletes need to compete consistently at the highest level.
Kilner says LA 2028 starts now and these scholarships allow our athletes to access better coaching, stronger competition exposure, and professional support services that are essential for Olympic qualification.
She says they are proud of their commitment, discipline, and ambition and FASANOC will continue to work closely with their National Federations to ensure they are given every opportunity to succeed on the world stage and inspire the next generation of Fijian athletes.
Viliame Ratulu (Sailing) is a trailblazing sailor and the first Indigenous Fijian athlete to compete in Olympic sailing, Viliame represented Fiji at the Paris 2024 Olympics and has competed in events such as the 2025 ILCA7 World Championships and Pacific Games.
Ratulu is motivated by reviving Fiji’s rich Polynesian sailing heritage, he aims to inspire youth through coaching and club development, preventing negative pathways and promoting life skills through sport. His Paris experience reinforced his dedication to returning stronger in 2028.
Gerard Takayawa is a heavyweight judoka who made his Olympic debut at Paris 2024, Gerard has secured major podium finishes including: 2nd – 2024 Pan America Open Chile (Olympic qualifier), 2nd – Oceania Open Tahiti (Olympic qualifier), 1st – 2023 Oceania Open Junior Championships.
Takayawa values discipline, mental toughness and respect instilled by judo. The scholarship will enable international training camps and elite competitions to elevate his world ranking and secure a return to the Olympics, while inspiring Fijian youth through perseverance.
David Young (Swimming) known as “Tolu,” is a national record holder in sprint freestyle events who competed at Paris 2024 and the World Aquatics Championships.
Career highlights include: Gold – 50m Freestyle (2025 Pacific Mini Games), Silver – 50m Breaststroke and 50m Butterfly (2025 Pacific Mini Games), Silver – 50m Freestyle (23.29) at 2023 Pacific Games,
Bronze – 50m Butterfly at 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games.
Tolu is currently training at Arizona State University, and he is targeting breaking the 22-second barrier in the 50m freestyle, medalling at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and claiming Fiji’s first Olympic swimming medal in 2028.
Heleina Young who is a versatile sprinter specialising in the 100m, 200m and 400m.
Young shone at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games with: Gold – 200m (24.01s), Gold – 400m (56.05s), Gold – Women’s 4x400m relay, Silver – Mixed relay.
She has represented Fiji at the Pacific Games and Oceania Championships.
Young's four-year plan focuses on progression through Australian and New Zealand circuits, targeting personal bests and major peaks at the Commonwealth Games and World Championships en route to LA 2028.
Lolohea Naitasi (Taekwondo) at just 17 during her Paris 2024 debut — one of Fiji’s first taekwondo Olympians — Lolohea qualified via silver at the Oceania Qualifiers.
Her achievements include: Gold – 2025 Park Chung Hee Cup (Kyorugi, 57kg), Silver – 2025 Daegu Festival (Poomsae), Silver – 2023 Pacific Games, Bronze – 2023 Oceania Games.
Naitasi has also undertaken international training in South Korea and represents determination and a rapid rise in the sport.
FASANOC congratulates the five athletes on this significant achievement and looks forward to supporting their journey toward Olympic qualification.
As the countdown to Los Angeles 2028 begins, Fiji stands proudly behind its athletes — united in ambition, resilience and belief.
