By ANUSHIL KUMAR
Judoka Josateki Naulu (pictured) is one of the six athletes that were awarded with the Olympic Scholarship.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Scholarships for Athletes “Rio 2016” program is a unique opportunity for the local athletes to benefit from technical and financial support from IOC Olympic Solidarity, and from the whole Olympic Movement.
The Olympic scholarship remains conditional until the athlete has qualified for the XXXI (31) Olympic Games in Rio.
FASANOC Chairman High Performance Commission Mr Paul Yee said the scholarship program targets to endorse opportunities for local athletes to feature in the Olympic Games.
“The IOC Olympic Scholarships for Athletes “Rio 2016” program aims to promote opportunities for qualification and representation at the Olympic Games and is targeted at National Olympic Committees that have traditionally sent small delegations to the Games,” said Mr Yee.
According to Mr Yee, scholarship recipients from Fiji are also regarded as international-level athletes and have been assessed in consultation with the relevant National and International Federations.
“Our athletes have a sufficient and promising technical level to be able to qualify for the Rio Olympic Games.
“Proof of our athletes’ technical skill is evident in the results obtained at recent national and international competitions.”
While for the Judoka & IOC scholarship recipient Josateki Naulu, getting best results and setting up a good status for himself is his main aim.
“My goal is to improve my world ranking and get results at International Judo sanctioned tournaments to enable me to qualify,” said Josateki.
He further mentioned the IOC scholarship has empowered his preparation to attend vital qualification events and training camps with leading Judokas.
Josateki represented Fiji at the 2012 London Olympic Games and recently at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. He will be attending qualification events that include the Oceania Judo Championship in April at Noumea, New Caledonia.