experience

Fiji team prepare for the European experience

Probably Fiji’s only contender for a top 10 spot at the Barcelona Olympics is sailboarder Tony Philp Junior. With one world title to his credit, Philp has spent the last three months training in Europe adjusting to the boards that will be used in Spain.

According to Fiji yachting team

manager Rocky Moody, Philp has

teamed up with an Australian and an Italian and has been doing very well in a number of European events.

Another member of Fiji’s yachting team, Tony Philp Senior, has prepared for Barcelona with training at the famous Kiel Week Regatta in Ger many.

The rest of the team will also get European experience before the Olym pics. Bowman Colin Dunlop, middle man David Philp and Moody arrive in Barcelona 10 days before sailing starts for intensive training.

Fiji is expected to send a total contingent of 35 to Barcelona, compet ing in athletic, judo, swimming and

yachting.

A team of nine athletes and three officials form the athletics team. As part of its preparation, members of the Olympic squad took part in various competitions in Australia, New Cale donia and the United States of Ame rica, The final squad are currently having final preparations in the United King dom. Athletes are taking part in a circuit of six international competitions in England and Wales from June 21 to July 17.

For the first time, women are part of the Fiji judo team. Two women and two men make up the team, coached by former Olympian Viliame

Takayawa.

Preparatios included training in Japan for one of the judokas and participation by the four in the New Zealand Championships in March.

Expected to do well is Nacanieli Qerewaqa, a black belt (Ist Dan), who’s impressive record includes four gold and a silver medal at the New

Zealand Chapionships.

There are also four competitors in the swimming team which has recently competed in tournaments in Auckland and Tahiti.

This will be Fiji’s eighth summer Olympic Games since its first partici pation in 1956. It is still chasing a top 10 spot, maybe Philp Jnr and his sailboard will provide it this time.

Sharon Pickering: swimming for Fiji