Symbolic memory
Narayan Reddy, Lautoka
After Fiji won the 7s world cup, Sigatoka Bridge was named after the Melrose Cup win in 2005.
I am wondering what we can name after rugby’s gold medal victory in Rio. Any suggestions?
Respect and space
Joji Koroibanuve, Nasinu
I believe it’s time to give space, freedom, and respect to usual sights of rugby and touch rugby played in parks, beaches, roadsides, roundabouts, etc since it is an Olympic gold-medal-winning-sport for our beloved Fiji.
King Ryan and the knights
Shad Alfaz Ali, Navua
Hail King Ryan! We are the champions!
Fiji has won its first ever medal at the Olympics and we have to thank the magician, the wizard, the tactician, the greatest ‘Ben Ryan’.
The back-to-back Sevens Series titles and now the Olympic gold! It’s just too much boys.
Thank you Ben, for believing in the boys, for inspiring them to reach the greatest heights, and for bringing glory to our beloved nation.
To the boys: The Bus (Josua Tuisova), The Beast, (Semi Kunatani), Oscar (Osea Kolinisau), Leone Nakarawa, Seremaia Tuwai, Jasa Veremalua, Vatemo Ravouvou, Samisoni Virirviri, Viliame Mata, Apisai Domolailai, Kitione Taliga, Savenaca Rawaca and Masivesi Dakuwaqa – thank you and vinaka. You are truly the greatest.
For Fiji, ever Fiji!
Ashneel J Prasad , Auckland, NZ
I was born in a small city in Fiji, Lautoka. Even before I learnt the morals of what is wrong or right, or my alphabets and numbers, I learnt one thing – rugby. Seeing my parents, brother and my relatives cheer for some men running in the TV screen always used to leave me confused.
Slowly, I too started cheering for the men in white. I too started to sit in front of the TV and watch all these players making our country proud of them.
I remember, during Ram Naumi, Hong Kong 7s always used to be on, on the TV.
We used to celebrate Ram Naumi in a small mandir in Tawatawa, Lautoka. Someone always used to bring a small TV and an antenna and we used to cheer for Fiji, after finishing off with our prayers.
Be it a wedding, funerals or birthdays, one topic that is a must for discussion is rugby.
Rugby for us Fijians is not just a sport. It’s our identity.
Each player is like our family. Each try is our win. Each loss is our loss. Rugby is one thing that unites all Fijians.
Rugby is above everything. They say if a group of people follow something ‘religiously’, it becomes a religion. Rugby is Fiji’s prime religion.
As the Fijian 7s team won a gold medal at the Olympics, it’s not just another medal.
Other countries win 10, 20 or 30 medals at the Olympics and still feel nothing of it.
For a country with 900,000 people, this one medal means more than all those other 30 medals combined.
There is not enough words or expressions or gestures that can and will describe my happiness. It’s a historic day.
This day will never ever come again. Cherish it.
You have an epic memory to relish. One day in future you will tell your children and grandchildren, of the day the Fijian 7s team won an Olympic gold medal for the first time.
A man went against his homeland to bring pride and glory to our country. I’ll forever be indebted to Ben Ryan and his warriors for this historic moment.
No ruling party, no opposition, no ethnicity, no religion, no gender and no one else can take this moment from you. We are the kings, the kings of the 7s world.
We have conquered the world. We have conquered our dreams.
We have conquered the Olympics Gold Medal for Rugby 7s. Even if I die, I’ll die knowing my country is rejoicing.
My country is on everyone’s lips. I feel complete. I’m proud to be born in a nation, where we don’t run after tries, we run after dreams. Thank you Fiji.
Magnificent twelve
Simon Hazelman , Savusavu
A historical occasion that will forever be carved in our history! Considered just the one gold in the Olympics, our warriors will return with 12 gold medals!
In the game of rugby sevens, we have finally achieved Olympic glory. We have confirmed to the world our status as the Kings of Sevens Rugby.
Extremely beautiful and most impressive!
We salute and pay tribute to a remarkable and impressive effort from Ben Ryan and our magnificent 12.
Indeed a blessing to witness such a great historical event!
Fiji my Fiji!
Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj