When it comes to producing sports stars at the national level, most administrators can always bank on the material and potential that are nurtured from our islands.
From individual to team sports many athletes and players who hail from the maritime zone have excelled in the sporting arena and become household names.
In the case of rugby players the likes of Waisele Serevi (Gau), Kaiva Salusalu (Yasawa), the late Esala Teleni (Lau), Jone Daunivucu (Yasawa), Tomasi Cama (Koro), Marika Vunibaka (Gau), Sireli Naqelevuki (Kadavu), Semi Radradra (Taveuni), Akapusi Qera (Lau), Sisa Koyamaibole (Lau), Leone Nakarawa (Kadavu) and even Sevu Reece (Kadavu).
Even our globetrotting members of the Fiji Airways National 7s squad have roots in the islands.
They include the likes of Napolioni Ratu Bolaca (Yasawa), Terio Tamani (Kadavu), Kalioni Nasoko (Yasawa) and Aminiasi Tuimaba (Yasawa).
With no offence to players from other provinces, some ruggers like burly prop Joe Veitayaki (Matuku, Lau) and the late Vesito Rauluni are two who actually emerged from the once Island Zone Rugby.
They later joined the national rugby assembly line to shine with clubs in Suva.
Today we look into the profile of a budding star who hails from Kadavu Province in the South and will be donning the stripes of the team from the Land of the Rising Sun – Japan.
Setareki Tawake Junior is named after his dad, a former rugby Fiji representative in the abbreviated and full code of the oval ball game.
Tawake Junior will play for Junior Japan in the World Rugby Pacific Challenge hosted here.
Edited by Percy Kean
Feedback: percy.kean@fijisun.com.fj