Qaqa will represent Fiji in the men's 110 metres hurdles at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
He began his athletics journey competing in the high jump and long jump while attending LDS Church College in Tamavua before switching to hurdles after moving to Liahona High School in Tonga.
Qaqa says the disappointment of missing national selection twice continues to motivate him to train harder and improve.
Speaking to fijivillage News, he says preparations have been the toughest of his career because he will be competing at a much higher level, but the support of his teammates has helped him through the demanding training sessions.
He says the increased intensity of training has prepared the team to compete against some of the Commonwealth's best athletes.
Qaqa, who has paternal links to Qamea and maternal links to Naceva in Kadavu, says he is excited to represent Fiji at his first Commonwealth Games.
His main goal is to progress as far as possible in the competition, with hopes of advancing from the heats into the semi-finals and possibly the final.
He is also aiming to improve his personal best as he prepares for the Pacific Games in Tahiti next year.
Qaqa is encouraging young people to continue working towards their dreams, saying hard work can help them represent Fiji and achieve even greater success in the future.
The Glasgow Commonwealth Games will kick off today and end on the 2nd of August.
Qaqa will compete in the men's 110 metres hurdles during the evening session in Glasgow on Monday, 27th July. The event will be held from 5.30am to 9am on Tuesday, 28th of July.
