Pacific Games gold medalists Jone Davule and Yeshnil Karan

Pacific Games gold medalists Jone Davule and Yeshnil Karan are among 11 other male athletes vying for the Sportsman of the Year award at the Fiji Sports Awards.

Boxer Davule says he’s shocked with his nomination and was speechless when told to attend the 2023 Fiji Sports Awards Nominees Presentation held at the Vodafone Arena tonight.

He adds that tonight’s experience has been an emotional one for him as he looks back at how far he has come in his boxing career.

“I could not believe I was nominated for this category and there is nothing I can say but to thank the Lord for what he has done for me, I never dreamt of achieving this but I keep believing in myself as I believe there is more to come and I want to continue boxing to achieve greater things.”

Jone Davule

Davule, who is currently in rehab for six months, adds that this is definitely a great platform for him to continue to promote the sport he loves most on the regional and international stage.

He also hopes to inspire aspiring boxers by showing that anything is possible.

Davule won gold for Fiji at the 2023 Pacific Games after 20 years.

Other athletes in this category include Kaiv Gounder from archery, Leevan Dutta from hockey, Ratu Goleavanua Lesuma from outrigger canoeing, Special Olympian Petero Kanaliwa, rugby league’s Tui Kamikamica, Olympic silver medalist Selestino Ravutaumada, Marika Matanatabu from squash, swimmer Hansel McCaig, taekwondo’s Suliano Bartholomew, triathlete Christian Rokoua and Pacific Games triple gold medalist in weightlifting, Taniela Rainibogi.

Kesaia Boletakanakadavu was among 12 women nominated in the Sportswoman of the Year category.

Kesaia Boletakanakadavu

Boletakanakadvu is also nominated alongside, Fiji Paralympian Naibili Vatunisolo, Catherine Fabiano from Hockey, Netball’s Unaisi Rauluni, Elenoa Vatetei from Outrigger, Special Olympian Miliana Nagasau, Talei Holmes from Rugby League, Reapi Uluinasa from Rugby Union, Alison Yee from squash, Swimmings Kelera Mudunasoko, Taekwondos Lolohea Naitau and Miriama Taletawa of Weightlifting.

Meanwhile, the FBC Sports Photograph of the Year award has two nominees: Cecelia Matanatabu of Fijivillage and Jonacani Lalakobau of the Fiji Times.

FBC Sales and Marketing Director Vijendra Kumar [right] presents the nominee award to the FBC Sports Photograph of the Year award nominee Jonacani Lalakobau of the Fiji Times

The Fiji Sports Awards will be held next week.

Other categories:

Fiji Water Coach of the Year
Athletics Antonio Raboiliku
Hockey Hector Smith Snr
Outrigger Duane Rehler
Rugby League Waisake Kativerata
Rugby Union Simon Raiwalui
Special Olympics Elesi Ikanidrodro
Squash Reginald Pal
Swimming Willie Elaisa
Taekwondo Neelu Nand
Weightlifting Henry Elder.

Sportsworld Technical Official of the Year
Athletics Osea Waqa
Basketball Timoci Sailada
Football Anushil Kumar
Hockey Ernest Movick
Netball Litia Rabitu
Rugby League Kinivuwai Qumivutia
Rugby Union Lavenia Racaca
Taekwondo Sanghyun Ra
Swimming & Triathlon Trisa Cheer
Weightlifting Joape Tumaikorolevu

Volunteer of the Year
Basketball Leone Qumi
Hockey Astral Smith
Rugby League Sevanaia Koroi
Rugby Union Eparama Waqainoa
Special Olympics Bibiana Korotuba
Squash Blair Macaskill
Swimming Amelia Simpson
Table Tennis Lihua (Eva) Liang
Taekwondo Sanjay Pratap
Weightlifitng Cema Naliva

ONOC Hanisi Erasito Administrator of the Year
Archery Nathan Kirk
Basketball William Peter
Football Anushil Kumar
Hockey Emi Qetaki
Netball Kinisalote Drasuna
Rugby Jikoibau Matawalu
Squash Andre Roxburgh
Swimming Lucy Erasito
Taekwondo Anamika Narayan
Triathlon Trisa Cheer Dunn
Weightlifting Della Shaw Elder

Sports Organisation of the Year
Basketball Fiji
Fiji Netball Association
Fiji Rugby Uniuon
Swimming Fiji
Fiji Taekwondo Association

Asco Motors Team of the Year
National Men’s Basketball Team
Fiji Under 20 National Women’s Team
Fiji Hockey Women’s Team
Fiji Pearls
Flying Fijians
Squash Fiji Mens Team
Fiji Triathlon

Unit Trust of Fiji Young Female Athlete of the Year
Squash Adele Macaskill
Swimming Anahira McCutcheon
Taekwondo Antrisha Aanya Chand
Triathlon Katie Pattie
Weightlifting Sinate Savou

Vodafone Young Male Athlete of the Year
Hockey Gregory Wise
Swimming & Triathlon Erik Tokona
Taekwondo Nidish Krishna Nand
Weightlifting Nehemiah Elder