Naulu gets the nod in judo

Josateki Naulu takes Nemani Takayawa to the mat during training in Suva on Sunday

Naulu gets the nod in judo
Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Cakaudrove native Josateki Naulu has been named in the Oceania men's team to take part in the World Team Championships in Paris, France in September.
Naulu, 22, a third year university student in Japan, was picked after outstanding performances at the Oceania Judo Championships held in Tahiti last week.
He has been named alongside ninth world ranked Sisilia Naisiga to take on the best of the best from the 12 participating regional teams. Naulu beat Devio Rehi of Tahiti in the final of the senior men U81kg to win gold at the Oceania meet.
Team Fiji manager Nacanieli Takayawa said Naulu made the whole tournament look easy.
He said they were preparing the upcoming Pacific Games to be held in Samoa next year. "The tournament which Sisilia and Jo will be attending will be a good training and exposure for them," Takayawa said. "The main focus for judo will be either beating or equalling our record at the Pacific Games," he said.
Fiji won eight gold medals in judo at the South Pacific Games held in Fiji in 2003.
Naulu, along with Japan-based Nemani Takayawa, Pelasio Rageci and Nabua Secondary School sixth former Mereseini Galu, all returned from a good Oceania outing. The judokas returned home with five gold and a bronze and are looking forward to the World Judo Championships and the Oceania Open as they are the qualifying tournaments for the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Fonte: Fiji Times - Suva,Fiji - http://www.fijitimes.com/