Jerry Tuwai is the most decorated Olympian in Fiji's history with three Olympic medals including two gold won at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, respectively.
Coming from a country where Rugby is the biggest sport, Tuwai is currently in India representing the Mumbai Dreamers in the Rugby Premier League underway at the Mumbai Football Arena.
Tuwai took some time off to share his thoughts with The Free Press Journal in an exclusive Q&A. Excerpts..
How do you feel being here in India?.. What are your thoughts and impressions about the country?
I'm very excited about coming here to India. It's a lovely place and lovely people, very friendly. It's my first time. I'm excited about the Rugby Premier League but unfortunately got injured. I think this will be good not just for Rugby India but Rugby as a whole.
What do you feel about the Rugby Premier League and what do you think this will do for the sport in India?..
You know the thing about Rugby is that it can be empowering. It changes a lot of people and now I can see a lot of fans here for Rugby and I believe it will encourage the young boys to play the sport. It is fun, engaging and its a team sport. It's a game that will change people.
You've participated in three Olympics and won medals. How was the experience of being on the podium?.. Any memorable moments apart from the medals.
For me, I would say the Olympics when Rugby 7s was introduced for the first time, it was something new for us. Going into the Olympics, we were excited. New atmosphere and new new environment and it was something very different. For us, as rugby players, to be involved for the first time at the Olympics it was a blessing for us.
Tell us a bit about Rugby in Fiji and how big it is..
You have to Google it..(laughs). When we won the Olympic gold medal in Rugby, it was the biggest parade ever. Everyone plays Rugby in Fiji. It is the biggest sport in Fiji. So, it is really big.
How's your experience been in the Rugby Premier League and what battles are you looking forward to here?..
I love the game and in India, new place, new league and exciting and here the boys love the sport. They want to ask a lot of questions. How to do this and how to do that. We expected the questions and expected the learning and yeah, what I love about the local boys is the ability to learn and adapt.
Do you have any idea about Indian sport or any Indian athlete?..
Yes, I watch a lot of cricket. I love cricket, kabaddi. I watch kabaddi and its exciting.I think kabaddi players would make good rugby players. They move very well and they are physical. Cricket is to India what Rugby is to Fiji.
When did you start playing rugby for the first time and what was your motivation?.. Who initiated you into the sport?..
I started playing rugby at the age of seven. We played from a very young age and I came into the big clubs and my mum and dad always encouraged me to pursue my rugby career. That is how I got into it. Yeah, after 10 years of international rugby I'm here in India.
What would be your message to the Indian rugby players. This is the first time there is a franchise league for younger players. What would be your message?..
As I said, the RPL is not just good for local boys but Rugby as a whole. You see international players coming here, bridge players coming. It will help Rugby as a whole. The international players will be giving a lot of exposure and experience to the local boys. The local boys can learn a lot and go for it. Nothing is impossible, impossible is nothing.
