Rusiate Rogoyawa
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Rusiate Rogoyawa |
| Nationality | Fijian |
| Born | 16 May 1961 Cikobia-i-Lau, Fiji |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Cross-country skiing |
Rusiate Rogoyawa (born 16 May 1961) is a Fijian cross-country skier. Born in Cikobia-i-Lau, he moved to Norway in 1982 to study electric engineering. He would take up skiing and would enjoy the sport but would often crash and break equipment. In 1987, he contacted sports officials back in Fiji in hopes to represent the nation at an edition of the Winter Olympics; though he was eventually funded by the International Olympic Committee for him to compete at the 1988 Winter Olympics.
There, he became the first athlete for Fiji at a Winter Games and was designated as the flag bearer. He would compete in the men's 15 kilometre classical with a main goal of not placing last; he placed 83rd out of the 85 athletes that competed.
He then switched to the sports of boxing and rugby and had gained 9 kilograms (20 lb) of bodyweight. For his preparations for his next Winter Games, he started skiing again in September 1993. He would eventually compete at the 1994 Winter Olympics and was again designated as the flagbearer. In the men's 10 kilometre classical, he would place last though remained positive as he wanted to set an example that Fijians can ski as well.
Early and personal life
Rusiate Rogoyawa was born on 16 May 1961 in Cikobia-i-Lau, Fiji.[1] His mother is Rusiate Nayatevakalaion.[2] Rogoyawa stated that his first name meant "Richard the Lion-hearted" while his last name meant "well-known".[3] He left his hometown on 1982 to study electrical engineering in Oslo, Norway. There, he would see snow for the first time.[4] While he was in Norway, he married a Norwegian woman.[2]
Career
1988 Winter Games
While studying, he would start skiing and would enjoy the sport. Though, he had stated that "the Norwegians seemed to think otherwise. They saw me running down all the hills, crashing into trees, breaking poles. They thought I was having a hard time, but I was really enjoying it."[4] He would be coached by Torbjørn Kulstad. In 1987, he contacted sports officials back in Fiji in hopes to represent the nation at an edition of the Winter Olympics; and in September of the same year, the International Olympic Committee had responded that they would fund his stint for the Winter Games as part of a programme for first-time competing nations.[2]
He would represent Fiji at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada. There, he would be the first athlete for Fiji at a Winter Games; he would be the sole athlete.[5] During the 1988 Winter Olympics opening ceremony, he would also be designated as the flag bearer.[1] He competed in the men's 15 kilometre classical on 19 February against 89 other athletes. Going into the event, he stated that his goal was to not place last.[4] He had placed 83rd after he had broken one of skis early into the event.[6]
1994 Winter Games
Rogoyawa had planned to compete at the 1992 Winter Olympics,[2] though was not successful.[5] He would instead compete at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. Before the games, he had gained 9 kilograms (20 lb) of bodyweight and switched to the sports of boxing and rugby. He would start cross-country skiing in September 1993 for his stint at the games.[7]
At the 1994 Winter Games, he was again designated as the flag bearer for the opening ceremony.[1] He would compete in the men's 10 kilometre classical on 17 February against 87 other athletes. He had placed last with a time of 38:30.7.[8] Upon completing the event, Rogoyawa had stated that he felt "heavy", though remained positive as he further stated that he wanted to show that Fijians can ski as well.[3]
References
- ^ a b c "Rusiate Rogoyawa Biographical Information". Olympedia. Archived from the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ^ a b c d Morris, Jim (23 February 1988). "He isn't kidding, says Fijian skier, in finishing 83rd". Calgary Herald. Canadian Press. p. 36. Retrieved 27 June 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "IOC offers to match Sarajevo relief funds". The Baltimore Sun. 18 February 1994. p. 164. Retrieved 27 June 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c Lyon, Bill (24 February 1988). "Rogoyawa is one-man team for Fiji at Games". Ledger-Enquirer. Knight Ridder. p. 11. Retrieved 27 June 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Fiji Overview". Olympedia. Archived from the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ^ "15 kilometres (Classical), Men". Olympedia. Archived from the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ^ "Fiji Islander catches tropical ski bug". The News Journal. Reno Gazette-Journal. 18 February 1994. p. 40. Retrieved 27 June 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "10 kilometres (Classical), Men". Olympedia. Archived from the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2025.