Famous people from Fiji
Here is a list of famous people from Fiji. Curious if anybody from Fiji made it our most famous people in the world list? Read the aformentioned article in order to find out.
Jimmy Snuka
Wrestler
James William Reiher, better known by the ring name Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, is a semi-retired Fijian professional wrestler and actor. He is signed with WWE, working in their Legends program. Originally from the Fiji Islands, Snuka wrestled for several promotions in the 1970s and 1980s. Snuka was the first ECW Heavyweight Champion and held the title on two occasions. He is best known for his time in the World Wrestling Federation in the early to mid-1980s and is credited with introducing the high-flyer style of wrestling to the WWF. His children, former WWE Superstar Jimmy Reiher, Jr. and current WWE Diva Sarona Reiher, are also wrestlers.
Craig Parker
Actor
Craig Parker is an actor from New Zealand, best known for his roles as Haldir in The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers, Darken Rahl in Legend of the Seeker and Gaius Claudius Glaber in Spartacus.
Lote Tuqiri
Rugby Player
Lote Daulako Tuqiri is a Fijian/Australian professional rugby league player and former rugby union player who is currently signed to the Wests Tigers in the NRL who has represented Australia in both rugby codes, and Fiji in rugby league. He usually plays as a winger. He first rose to prominence as a rugby league player for the Brisbane Broncos and Queensland Maroons, as well as the Fiji and Australia national sides. He switched to rugby union in 2002, winning 67 caps for Australia and being a part of their 2003 and 2007 World Cup squads. He played rugby union for the Waratahs in the Super 14, and Leicester Tigers in England in season 2009–10. Tuqiri's contract with the Australian Rugby Union was terminated on 1 July 2009. No immediate reason was given, and Tuqiri returned to rugby league in 2010. In September 2013, he signed a short-term contract with Irish rugby union giants, Leinster to play in the Pro12 in a three-month deal.
Jimmy Reiher, Jr.
Wrestler
James William Reiher, Jr. is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his time in World Wrestling Entertainment under the ring names Sim Snuka and Deuce between 2007 and 2009. The son of professional wrestler Jimmy Snuka, Reiher began wrestling in the late 1990s, and worked for the UWA and the Xcitement Wrestling Federation. Ater signing a contract with World Wrestling Entertainment, Reiher was assigned to WWE's developmental territory Ohio Valley Wrestling in Louisville, Kentucky in 2005, where he wrestled under the name Deuce Shade. He was placed in tag team competition, alongside Dice Domino, and they won the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship on three occasions. It was also during this time that he and Domino, alongside their manager Cherry, were known as the group The Throw-Backs and later The Untouchables. Also at OVW, Reiher won the OVW Television Championship in one occasion in singles competition. The group was called up to the SmackDown! roster in January 2007, and the team underwent a name change to Deuce 'n Domino. Three months later, Deuce 'n Domino went onto win the WWE Tag Team Championship. After dropping the title in August 2007, the group disbanded in June 2008, after a series of losses. The split was then further cemented when Reiher was drafted to the Raw brand as part of the 2008 WWE Supplemental Draft. During his time on Raw, Reiher expressed interest in joining Randy Orton's Legacy faction. He, however, was not permitted to join. On June 19, 2009, Reiher was released from his WWE contract.
Frank Bainimarama
Politician
Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, CF, MSD, OStJ, Fijian Navy, known commonly as Frank Bainimarama and sometimes by the chiefly title Ratu, is a Fijian naval officer and politician who has been Prime Minister of Fiji since 2007. He is the Commander of the Fijian Military Forces. While serving as Prime Minister, he has temporarily held various ministerial portfolios: Information, Home Affairs, Immigration, Public Service, Indigenous and Multi-Ethnic Affairs, Finance, and Foreign Affairs.
Don Dunstan
Politician
Donald Allan "Don" Dunstan AC, QC was a South Australian politician. He entered politics as the Member for Norwood in 1953, became state Labor leader in 1967, and was Premier of South Australia between June 1967 and April 1968, and again between June 1970 and February 1979. The son of a business executive, Dunstan grew up as part of the Adelaide establishment. He excelled academically before encountering his progressive political awakening while training in law and arts at the University of Adelaide. His upper-class background and scholarly bearing made him unusual for the Labor Party at the time, but he rose quickly and entered parliament at the age of 26. Dunstan quickly came to attention as Labor's standout performer, a charismatic and aggressive debater in an era of sedate political conduct. The dominant political figure at the time was Premier Thomas Playford IV, then leading the Liberal and Country League through a 27-year hold on power, aided by a system of electoral malapportionment dubbed the Playmander, which gave undue weight to the LCL's rural base since its introduction by the LCL in 1936. Dunstan stridently pursued the LCL over the Playmander. In the late 1950s, Dunstan became well known for his campaign against the death penalty being imposed on Max Stuart, who was convicted of rape and murder of a small girl. He harried Playford aggressively over the matter, creating an uproar over what he saw as an unfair process. Playford eventually relented, and appeared shaken thereafter; the event was seen as a turning point in the LCL's decline, and Labor gained momentum. During Labor's time in opposition, Dunstan was prominent in securing some reforms in Aboriginal rights, and was at the forefront of Labor abandoning the White Australia Policy.
Waisale Serevi
Coach
Waisale Tikoisolomoni Serevi is a former Fijian rugby union footballer, and coach. Although he played fifteen-a-side rugby throughout his playing career, Serevi is most notable for his achievements in rugby sevens. He is widely considered one of the greatest rugby players ever, especially in the game of sevens. In the 15-man game, he played for Fiji 39 times between 1989 and 2003, and scored 376 points. This included representing Fiji in the 1991, 1999, and 2003 Rugby World Cups. He has also played professionally for the Mitsubishi, Leicester, Stade Montois, Stade Bordelais and Staines rugby teams. His representative sevens career started in 1989 when he played for Fiji at the Hong Kong tournament. With the exception of 2001, 2003 and 2004 he has played at Hong Kong every year since. Serevi has also played in the 1993, 1997, 2001, and 2005 Rugby World Cup Sevens, winning the World Cup with Fiji in 1997 and 2005. He won silver at the Commonwealth Games in 1998 and 2002, and captured bronze in 2006. Serevi has played in the International Rugby Board Sevens Series since its creation in 1999. In 2005 after winning the 2005 Rugby World Cup Sevens Serevi was appointed the Fiji Sevens team's coach. He coached Fiji to the 2005-06 World Sevens Series victory – the first time the series was not won by New Zealand.
Rupeni Caucaunibuca
Athlete
Rupeni Caucaunibuca is a Fijian rugby union footballer who currently plays for Northland in the ITM Cup.
Petero Civoniceva
Rugby Player
Petero Civoniceva, is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Queensland Cup. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative prop forward, in 2009 he broke the record for most international matches for Australia of any forward in history. Civoniceva played his club football for the Brisbane Broncos, with whom he won the 1998, 2000 and 2006 NRL Premierships, as well as for the Penrith Panthers, whom he captained. The Petero Civoniceva Medal is awarded to the Australian Fijian rugby league player of the year. The correct Fijian pronunciation of his surname is "thee-vo-ni-there-va" as the Fijian ‘c’ is pronounced as a ‘th’. However for ease of pronunciation his surname is usually said with the 'c' sounded as an 's' as in the usual English pronunciation of the letter.
Mark Lynas
Environmentalist
Mark Lynas is a British author, journalist and environmental activist who focuses on climate change. He is a contributor to New Statesman, Ecologist, Granta and Geographical magazines, and The Guardian and The Observer newspapers in the UK; he also worked on the film The Age of Stupid. He was born in Fiji, grew up in Peru and the United Kingdom and holds a degree in history and politics from the University of Edinburgh. He lives in Oxford, England. He has published several books including Six Degrees: Our Future on a Hotter Planet and The God Species: Saving the Planet in the Age of Humans. He has stated "I think there is a 50–50 chance we can avoid a devastating rise in global temperature."
Paulini
Pop Artist
Pauline Curuenavuli, better known simply as Paulini, is an Australian R&B and pop singer, songwriter and actress, who rose to prominence as a contestant on the first season of Australian Idol in 2003. She subsequently signed a recording contract with Sony BMG until 2009, when she signed with Independent record label Albert Music. In 2004, Paulini released her debut single "Angel Eyes", which peaked at number one on the ARIA Singles Chart for three consecutive weeks, and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The single earned Paulini an ARIA Music Award nomination for 'Highest Selling Single'. Her debut studio album One Determined Heart, debuted at number one on the ARIA Albums Chart, where it remained for two consecutive weeks. The album was also certified platinum by the ARIA. Paulini earned ARIA No. 1 Chart Awards for both "Angel Eyes" and One Determined Heart. In 2006, Paulini released her second studio album, Superwoman, which included the singles "Rough Day" and "So Over You". The album reached number 72 on the ARIA Albums Chart, failing to achieve the commercial success of her debut album. Superwoman earned Paulini two nominations at the 2007 Urban Music Awards for 'Best R&B Album' and 'Best Female Artist'. Also during 2006, Paulini became a member of Australian all-girl pop group Young Divas. The group later disbanded in 2008, with all members resuming their solo careers.
Sitiveni Sivivatu
Athlete
Sitiveni Waica Sivivatu is a New Zealand rugby union footballer, playing on the position of a wing. He was largely successful in the 2005 Super 12 season playing for the Chiefs, and acquired a starting position in the All Blacks. He has scored 29 tries in 45 tests. He also scored 4 tries for the Pacific Islanders in 2004, 2 of which he scored against his current team, the All Blacks and 2 against South Africa. Since the Pacific Islanders team has been sanctioned by the IRB, his 4 tries for them stands.
Sitiveni Rabuka
Politician
Major-General Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, OBE, MSD, OStJ, is best known as the instigator of two military coups that shook Fiji in 1987. He was later democratically elected the third Prime Minister, serving from 1992 to 1999. He later served as Chairman of the Great Council of Chiefs, and is currently Chairman of the Cakaudrove Provincial Council, a position he has held since 24 May 2001. He was re-elected to this position for another three-year term on 13 April 2005.
Nalini Singh
Author
Nalini Singh is a New Zealand author of numerous paranormal romance novels.
Mahendra Chaudhry
Politician
Mahendra Pal Chaudhry is a Fijian politician and the leader of the Fiji Labour Party. Following a historic election in which he defeated the long-time former leader, Sitiveni Rabuka, the former trade union leader became Fiji's first Indo-Fijian Prime Minister on 19 May 1999, but exactly one year later, on 19 May 2000 he and most of his Cabinet were taken hostage by coup leader George Speight, in the Fiji coup of 2000. Unable to exercise his duties, he and his ministers were sacked by President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara on 27 May; Mara intended to assume emergency powers himself but was himself deposed by the military leader, Commodore Frank Bainimarama. After 56 days in captivity, Chaudhry was released on 13 July and subsequently embarked on a tour of the world to rally support. He was one of the leading voices raised in opposition to the Qarase government's proposed Reconciliation and Unity Commission, which he said was just a mechanism to grant amnesty to persons guilty of coup-related offences. In January 2007 he was appointed as Minister of Finance, Sugar Reform Public Enterprise and National Planning in the interim Cabinet of Commodore Frank Bainimarama, following another coup. Chaudhry is also co-chair of the task force focusing on economic growth within the National Council for Building a Better Fiji.
Roy Krishna
Footballer
Roy Krishna is a Fijian association football player, who currently plays as a striker for Auckland City FC in the New Zealand Football Championship.
Laisenia Qarase
Politician
Laisenia Qarase is a Fijian political figure. He served as the sixth Prime Minister of Fiji from 2000 to 2006. After the military quashed the coup that led to the removal of Mahendra Chaudhry, Qarase joined the Interim Military Government as a financial adviser on 9 June 2000, until his appointment as Prime Minister on 4 July. He won two parliamentary elections, but the military intervened and forced him to step down on 5 December 2006. Qarase is controversial because his policies promote indigenous Fijians over those of other racial heritages in Fiji]. A native of Vanuabalavu Island in the Lau archipelago, he is one of many Lauans to have held top leadership positions in Fiji. He is the son of Josateki Mate of Mavana village.
Owen Sheers
Novelist
Owen Sheers is a Welsh poet, author, playwright, actor and TV presenter. He is the first writer in residence to be appointed by any national rugby union team.
Akuila Uate
Rugby Player
Akuila Uate is a Fijian professional rugby league footballer for the Newcastle Knights of the National Rugby League. A three time Dally M Winger of the Year, Uate has represented New South Wales in State of Origin and Fiji and Australia in international football. He primarily plays wing but can fill in at fullback and centre.
Napolioni Nalaga
Rugby Player
Napolioni Vonowale Nalaga is a Fijian rugby union footballer. He plays as a wing, flanker and Centre. He is nicknamed Napoleon or Naps or Napo. His father, Kavekini Nalaga also represented Fiji in the 80's and just like his son, he played on the wing.
Clinical
Breakbeat Artist
Darin McFadyen better known by his stage name FreQ Nasty, is a DJ and producer of breakbeat electronic music based in Los Angeles, California. Originally from New Zealand, McFadyen's artistic career has taken him across the world, first as a resident in London's Fabric Nightclub to multiple tours in Europe and Australia. He currently resides in the United States, where he has become a fixture amongst North American art and music festivals, most notably Burning Man.
Epeli Nailatikau
Politician
Brigadier-General Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, CF, LVO, OBE, MSD, KStJ, is a Fijian chief and the President of Fiji. He has had a long career in the Military, diplomatic service, and government. From 2001 to 2006 he served as Speaker of the House of Representatives – the lower and more powerful chamber of the Fijian Parliament. He was also the Chairman of the Parliamentary Appropriations Committee and of the House Committee. On 8 January 2007, he was appointed the interim Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade; he was moved to the post of interim Minister for Provincial Development and Multi-Ethnic Affairs in September 2008. In October 2008, he became Indigenous Affairs Minister "and effectively Great Council of Chiefs chairman". On 17 April 2009, he was appointed Vice-President by the Military government. On 30 July 2009, he became Acting President after the retirement of 88-year-old President Iloilo. On 5 November 2009, he was sworn in as the new President of Fiji.
Nalini Singh
Journalist
Nalini Singh is an Indian journalist. She has been the anchor for several current affairs programs on Doordarshan, and is most known for her program, 'Aankhon Dekhi', on investigative journalism.
Akapusi Qera
Athlete
Akapusi Qera is a Fijian professional rugby union player. A Flanker or No.8, Qera is from a sporting family; his father was an international cricketer for Fiji and his brother also played international rugby for Fiji. He is also a first cousin of Fiji test international Viliame Veikoso. Qera is a current test international and has also captained the national side. Qera has also represented the Barbarians. Whilst playing for Pertemps Bees during the 2006–2007 season he was voted Fiji rugby player of the year. Later in the season he was nominated for Fiji sportsman of the year, finishing second to golfer Vijay Singh. A key player for Fiji during their 2007 Rugby World Cup campaign in France, he scored three tries and was later voted third in the Guinness Premiership player of the season awards for 2007–08. Since his debut season at Gloucester, Qera has gone on to captain the Fijian national side and also be awarded the Gloucester Player of the Year award in 2010.
David Rodan
Australian Rules Footballer
David Rodan is a retired professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Richmond Tigers, Port Adelaide and Melbourne Football Clubs. Rodan is the first Fijian-born player to reach 100 AFL games.
Josefa Iloilo
Politician
Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda, CF, MBE, MSD, KStJ was the President of Fiji from 2000 until 2009, excluding a brief period from 5 December 2006 until 4 January 2007. He held the traditional title of Tui Vuda, the paramount chief of the Vuda district in Ba Province on Fiji's northwest coast. Like many Fijian people, he rarely used his surname and was known simply as Josefa Iloilo. He announced on 28 July 2009 that he would be leaving office on 30 July. At the age of 88, he was the world's oldest head of state. On 5 December 2006, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, seized power in a coup d'état and assumed presidential powers. This followed failed attempts on Iloilo's part to mediate a solution to the long-running impasse between the military and the government of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase. However, his powers were restored by Bainimarama on 4 January 2007. Iloilo also endorsed Bainimarama's coup on the same day, in his first public address since the coup. He appointed Bainimarama as Prime Minister the following day. After Fiji's Court of Appeal had ruled that the removal of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and the appointment of Fiji's interim regime following the military coup in 2006 was unlawful, on April 10, 2009 Iloilo dismissed the judges and abrogated the country's constitution. Iloilo claimed to have the "full support" of the security forces and directed the military to take "all reasonable steps" to maintain law and order.
Sireli Bobo
Athlete
Isireli Bobo is a Fijian rugby union footballer, currently playing for the Paris club Racing Métro 92 in the Top 14 club competition in France.
Bobby Singh
American Football Guard
Bobby Singh is a retired professional American and Canadian football guard. He last played for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. He was drafted by the Calgary Stampeders in the first round of the 1999 CFL Draft. Singh is the only player to have won an XFL Championship, a Super Bowl and a Grey Cup. Singh has also played for the St. Louis Rams, Los Angeles Xtreme and Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Seremaia Bai
Athlete
Seremaia Baïkeinuku is a Fijian rugby union footballer.
Tevita Kuridrani
Rugby Player
Tevita Kuridrani is an Australian rugby union player who plays for the Brumbies in Super Rugby. His playing position is outside-centre. He joined the Brumbies squad prior to the 2012 Super Rugby season and made his debut against the Reds in Brisbane. Kuridrani is a former Australia sevens player and also represented Australia under 20 in the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship.
Sisa Waqa
Rugby Player
Sisa Waqa is a Fijian professional rugby league footballer for Australia's Melbourne Storm club of the National Rugby League. He previously played for the Sydney Roosters before joining Melbourne in 2010 and going on to win the 2012 NRL premiership with them.
William Ryder
Athlete
William Ryder is a Fijian rugby union footballer. Ryder is well known within the rugby sevens community, as he has produced some of the best performances for the Fiji national sevens side. He is well known for his try scoring capability and has been one of the top try scorers of the World Sevens Series. He has scored 752 points to-date of which he has scored 82 tries. He was a part of the team that won the bronze medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia for the Rugby Sevens event. He played club rugby in Japan with Toyota Verblitz but he left and joined the Fiji sevens team for the 2009–10 IRB Sevens World Series. On the 17th May 2011 it was announced that he had signed for Stade Montois.
Anand Babla
Politician
Anand Babla was a Fijian politician of Indian descent. He was a member of the National Farmers Union and Fiji Labour Party, holding the Tavua Indian Communal Constituency from 1992 to 2006. in the House of Representatives. He won the seat in the general elections of 1992, 1994, 1999, 2001 and 2006. On 19 May 2000, He was among the 43 members of the People's Coalition Government, led by Mahendra Chaudhry, taken hostage by George Speight and his band of rebel Republic of Fiji Military Forces soldiers from the Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit. He was released on 21 May 2000, after he signed a paper resigning his seat in Parliament. Babla first entered the House of Representatives in 1992, representing a Tavua constituency. He was a sugar cane farmer and social worker. Babla died in India on December 22, 2008, following a long illness. He was survived by his wife and three children.
Nemani Nadolo
Athlete
Nemani Nadolo, formerly Ratu Nasiganiyavi, is a Fijian rugby union player. His usual position is wing or centre. He has signed on to play for the Crusaders in 2014.
Sisa Koyamaibole
Athlete
Sisaro Dautu Koyamaibole is a Fijian rugby union player. His usual position is at number eight. Koyamaibole also plays for Fiji, including playing in the 2003 Rugby World Cup, the 2007 Rugby World Cup and the 2011 Rugby World Cup, and has played for the Fiji Sevens in rugby sevens tournaments. At club level, he has represented Taranaki, Petrarca Padova, Toulon, Sale Sharks, Lyon OU, Bordeaux Bègles and currently plays for Brive.
Semi Tadulala
Athlete
Semi Tadulala is a Fijian professional rugby league football winger for Australian Queensland Cup club Northern Pride. A Fiji international representative at rugby league and rugby union, he previously played in the National Rugby League for Australia's Melbourne Storm club, in Super League for England's Bradford Bulls and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, and in the Co-operative Championship for Keighley Cougars. He has also played for Gloucester Rugby and Leeds Carnegie at rugby union.
Wilma Smith
Musical Artist
Wilma Smith is a Fijian-born violinist. She was born in Suva, Fiji and raised in Auckland, New Zealand. She has been concertmaster of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and since 2003, co-concertmaster of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in Australia. She plays a 1761 Guadagnini violin.
Penaia Ganilau
Politician
Ratu Sir Penaia Kanatabatu Ganilau, GCMG, KCVO, KBE, DSO was the first President of Fiji, serving from 8 December 1987 until his death in 1993. He had previously served as Governor-General of Fiji, representing Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Fiji, from 12 February 1983 to 15 October 1987.
Samuela Vula
Soccer Defender
Samuela Vuluma Vula is a Fijian international footballer who plays as a defender. As of February 2010, he plays for Rewa in the National Football League and has won seven caps for his country.
Seru Rabeni
Athlete
Ratu Seru Raveive Rabeni was a Fijian rugby union player. He played as a centre or wing. Rabeni was renowned in both club and international level for his physicality and bone crunching tackles, earning him the nickname "Rambo".
Joeli Vidiri
Athlete
Joeli Vidiri is a retired Fijian rugby union footballer who also played for the All Blacks. He played as a wing.
Judal
Mangaka
Judal is a Japanese manga artist responsible for many titles aimed at women, including Vampire Game, Carbuncle, Diva, Makai sangokushi CHIMAERA, Nerva shinjuuki, Nighteye, and Yoru no Hitomi. Vampire Game is the only one of her titles that has been translated for an English speaking audience. It follows the adventures of Princess Ishtar and her friendship with Duzell, an ancient vampire who has been resurrected in the body of a kitten.
Vilimoni Delasau
Athlete
Vilimoni Waqatabu Delasau is a Fijian rugby union footballer. He plays as a wing. His nickname is Delz.
Marika Koroibete
Rugby Player
Marika Koroibete is a Fijian professional rugby league footballer for the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League. He primarily plays wing and fullback.
Nasoni Roko
Athlete
Nasoni Rokobiau, born 29 November 1979, in Vunidawa, Fiji is a rugby union player. Rokobiau has represented Fiji in their Rugby Sevens team, as well as Fiji 'A' in the 15 man form of the game. He has played Sevens for Fiji since 2002, representing his country in many International Rugby Board Sevens Tournaments. He was included in the squad for the Wellington leg of the 2007 Series in February 2007. He plays in the Colonial Cup for the Suva Highlanders, and has also played in Malaysia, and in New Zealand. His performance in the Digicel Cup saw him get selected in the Fiji 15's team to the 2009 Autumn Internationals
Mika Vukona
Basketball Player
Mika John Vukona is a New Zealand professional basketball player who currently plays for the New Zealand Breakers and the Nelson Giants. He is also a regular New Zealand Tall Black. He has been a member of the U/16, U/18 and U/20 national teams.
Ratu Banuve Tabakaucoro
Athlete
Ratu Banuve Lalabalavu Tabakaucoro is a Fijian sprinter who specializes in the 100 and 200 meters. In the 2011 Coke Games Tabakaucoro ran his personal best in the senior boys 100 and 200 meters finals on the 29 and 30 April; he also helped his school win the 4 x 100 metres relay. He now holds the national record in the men's 200 meters for Fiji. Tabakaucoro is currently enrolled in the SPORTS SCIENCE ACADEMY at the prestigious Marist Brothers High School.
Charlie Moore
Australian Rules Footballer
Walter Charles "Charlie" Moore was an Australian rules footballer who played for Essendon Football Club in the Victorian Football League, and who also served as a trooper in the Anglo-Boer War. He was the first Fijian-born player in the VFL/AFL. Walter Moore was the first VFL player to die in active service in any war.
Netani Talei
Athlete
Netani Edward Talei is a Fijian rugby union player. He currently plays for Newport Gwent Dragons in the Pro 12 league. He plays as a number eight or flanker.
Ratu Udre Udre
Man
Udre Udre was a Fijian chief. He holds the Guinness World Record for “most prolific cannibal”. During the 19th century, Udre Udre reportedly ate more than 999 people. He kept a stone for each body he ate; the stones were placed alongside his tomb in Rakiraki, in northern Viti Levu. According to Udre Udre’s son, the chiefs of Rakiraki would go to the battlefield along with Udre Udre and they would each give him every body part of their victims, especially the head, preserving what he couldn’t eat in one sitting for consumption later.
Nikola Matawalu
Man
Nikola Matawalu is a Fijian rugby union footballer. He plays in the scrumhalf position. In May 2010 he was selected to represent Fiji in their 2010 tour to Australia. Niko joined Pro 12 side Glasgow Warriors for the start of the 2012-13 season on a one year contract.He impressed during his first season scoring 9 tries in 22 appearances and was awarded with a contract extension to keep him at the Glasgow club until 2015.
Sireli Naqelevuki
Athlete
Sireli Masibalavu Naqelevuki plays as a prop in rugby sevens but in traditional 15s he is a wing or centre. He made his rugby sevens debut in 2002 in Dubai Sevens. He is 1.93m tall and weighs 118 kg. Contracted to the FRU, he played in seven of the eight IRB 7s tournaments when Fiji won the 2005–06 Series. His father, test rep Samu Naqelevuki, was a hard-hitting utility back who died in November 2002 only a few days after Sireli had been selected for the Fiji 7s team.
Maleli Kunavore
Athlete
Maleli Kunavore was a Fijian rugby union footballer.
Timoci Nagusa
Man
Timoci Nagusa is a Fijian rugby union footballer. He plays as a wing. He plays his rugby for French club, Montpelier. He is 1.88m and weighs 88 kg. He worked as a Police constable in Fiji before his rugby career took off. He married his sweetheart, Losalini Tuilevuka on February 17, 2009 and has a child with her.
Junior Tomasi Cama
Athlete
Tomasi Cama is a New Zealand Rugby union player. He plays for Manawatu Turbos in the Air New Zealand Cup, and has also been included in the New Zealand Sevens team. He is the son of former Fiji sevens great Tomasi Cama.
Dugald Bruce Lockhart
Actor
Dugald Bruce Lockhart is an Anglo-Scottish actor.
Waisake Naholo
Rugby Player
Waisake Naholo is a New Zealand rugby union player. He plays in the wing position for the Auckland based Super Rugby franchise the Blues, and for New Zealand's rugby sevens international side the All Blacks Sevens. A former New Zealand under-20 rep, Naholo has played in 5 Sevens World Series tournaments, and featured in Gordon Tietjens squad to take part at the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens. Naholo earned himself a Blues contract after a superb ITM Cup season in 2012. Starting on the wing, he became a regular try-scoring threat. At provincial level he began his career with Wanganui before making the switch to Taranaki in 2011.
Patrick Osborne
Rugby Player
Patrick Osborne is a Fijian rugby union footballer. He plays as a winger for the Chiefs in Super Rugby and Canterbury in the ITM Cup, where he made his debut against Hawke's Bay in 2010. He was a member of the Crusaders squad for the 2012 Super Rugby season, however he didn't make any appearances for the franchise. He switched over to the Chiefs after being overlooked by the crusaders during his time with them in 2012.
Albert VuliVuli
Athlete
Albert Vulivuli is a Fijian rugby union player. He plays as a centre or wing. His older brother, Thomas plays football for Fiji whereas his younger sister, Finau is one of Fiji's female football referees. He attended Hamilton Boys High School in Waikato, New Zealand in 2004. He was part of the Waikato Under 20 team and the Waikato B team from 2005 to 2008 before moving across to Australia. He started playing professional rugby in Australia playing for the Queensland Reds in the 2009 Super 14 season. He moved to France shortly after the season ended to join his new Top 14 club, CS Bourgoin-Jallieu. He made his top 14 debut against Racing Métro 92 in September 2009 on the wing. He played 16 games for them, all on the wing. After the 2009-10 Top 14 season ended, he joined Racing Métro 92, the same club he made his debut against and played his first game in August 2010 against Brive at inside centre in the 2010–11 Top 14 season. He made his Heineken Cup debut at outside centre against Leinster where he scored a try. After utility back, Kameli Ratuvou pulled out of Fiji's team for the 2010 end of year rugby tests, Vulivuli was called in as a replacement.
Viliame Waqaseduadua
Athlete
Viliame Waqaseduadua is a New Zealand rugby union player, usually as a wing. He plays for the Grenoble. He is simply known as Vili or Waga. Waga is 1.82 m tall and weighs 82 kg. He starred for the North Harbour team in the Air New Zealand Cup competition. He first played rugby for the Poverty Bay team in the third division, where he single-handedly took the team to win the third division title. He made his provincial debut for Poverty Bay in 2004 against Auckland, where, despite his team going down, his skills were already evident. He has played 28 provincial matches to date, 7 of which for Poverty Bay and the rest for North Harbour. He has scored 20 tries for both teams. He made his Super 14 debut for the Blues against the Highlanders in 2006 and throughout the 2006 Super 14, he played 8 times for the Blues, scoring 1 try. He has also played in the Pacific Nations Cup for the Junior All Blacks team. In 2007, he was recruited by the franchise he made his debut against, the Highlanders. In 2008, he was overlooked by his home province and picked up by the Waikato Chiefs, out of the draft. The highlight of his career to date was in 2006, when single-handedly won the Ranfurly Shield from Canterbury in 2006, scoring 2 tries.
Asaeli Tikoirotuma
Rugby Player
Asaeli Tikoirotuma is a Fijian rugby union footballer. His regular playing position is wing. He plays for the Chiefs in Super Rugby and Manawatu Turbos in the ITM Cup. In his inaugural Super Rugby season in 2012, he won the Super Rugby Title with the Chiefs on 4 August at the 2012 Super Rugby Final at home in Waikato Stadium,Hamilton. At the end of the 2012 Super Rugby Season, he scored 7 tries, which meant he was joint 10th with 4 other players on the leading try scorers table. In October 2013, he was named in the Fiji team to their 2013 end-of-year- tour.
Ilivasi Tabua
Coach
Ilivasi Sevia Tabua Tamanivalu is a former fijian rugby union footballer who played at international level for both Fiji and Australia as flanker. He was nicknamed The Human Skewer. He also coached the Fiji national team at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Freddy Keiaho
American Football Linebacker
Freddy Keiaho, born Naivote Taulawakeiaho, December 18, 1982 in Suva, Fiji is Fijian professional American football player who is currently a Free Agent linebacker in the National Football League. He played college football for the San Diego State University Aztecs, and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He joined the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2010 season. He is the first Fijian to play in the NFL.
Sakiusa Matadigo
Athlete
Sakiusa Masinivanua Matadigo is a rugby union footballer who plays third row for Montpellier Hérault RC. He has been capped for the full Fiji national side, as well as representing Fiji at Sevens. Before moving to the Guinness Premiership in 2007, he had played representative rugby for Fiji Barbarians in the Pacific Rugby Cup and for Suva Highlanders in the Colonial Cup. His senior rugby career began playing for Suva suburb Nabua, as well as the full Suva F.C. side.
Jerry Yanuyanutawa
Rugby Player
Jerry Yanuyanutawa is a rugby union player who plays for Glasgow Warriors. He grew up in Fiji, where he represented their Under 21 side. Yanuyanutawa, who plays at prop, made his debut for the Brumbies in the 2010 Super 14 season. He joined London Irish in August 2012. In July 2013, he signed for Scottish side Glasgow Warriors joining fellow flying Fijian, Nikola Matawalu
Rob Elder
Olympic Archer
Robert Elder is an athlete. He represented Fiji in the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Graham Warren
Man
Graham Warren was an Australian international speedway rider who finished third in the 1950 Speedway World Championship final.
Ivor Evans
Football player
Ivor Evans is a Fijian retired midfielder.
Joe Tuineau
Athlete
Joe Tuineau is a rugby union footballer and a former American football player. He plays as a lock for Southland in the ITM Cup and for the Highlanders in the Super Rugby competition. Although he was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand, he represents Tonga internationally. His partner is Southern Steel and Silver Ferns goal shoot Daneka Wipiiti.
Osea Vakatalesau
Footballer
Osea Vakatalesau is a Fijian football striker playing for Fiji national football team and Ba F.C.
Bernie Fraser
Athlete
Bernard Gabriel 'Bernie' Fraser is best known as a former New Zealand All Black rugby union player.
Julian Moti
Politician
Julian Moti QC CSI is the former Attorney General of the Solomon Islands. He was born in Fiji and educated in Australia. Moti worked as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Bond University on Australia's Gold Coast from 1992, and taught comparative constitutional law, public and private international law, transnational litigation and arbitration, international trade, and finance and investment in Australasia and the Pacific. He was the founding President of the Pacific Islands Branch of the International Law Association, served on the ILA Committee on Compensation for Victims of War and has been a Visiting Professorial Fellow at the Centre for Law and Governance at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, India and a Visiting Professor at Gujarat National Law University in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.
Malakai Tiwa
Soccer Midfielder
Malakai Tiwa in Fiji is a footballer who plays as a Midfielder. He has previously played for Hekari United. He currently plays for Ba in the National Football League and the Fiji national football team.
Makelesi Batimala
Olympic athlete
Makelesi Bulikiobo Batimala is a Fiji Islands sprinter.
Manoa Vosawai
Athlete
Manoa Vosawai is an Italian rugby union player. He currently plays for Benetton Treviso in Italy, and has been involved with the Italian national side, he made his debut on August 18, 2007 in a match against Japan. Vosawai plays as a number eight. Vosawai was included in the Italian squad for the 2007 World Cup, and made a substitute appearance in the Azzurri's opening match against the All Blacks, replacing Alessandro Zanni. He joined Benetton Rugby Treviso in June 2010.
Maritino Nemani
Rugby Player
Maritino Nemani is a Fijian rugby union footballer. His regular playing position is as a winger. He plays for the Chiefs in Super Rugby and Bay of Plenty in the ITM Cup.
John Seru
Actor
John Seru is an actor and former professional wrestler. He is best known as "Vulcan" in the Australian version of TV series Gladiators, as well as joining the British Gladiators team in Seasons 7 and 8. He is also known for his part in the James Bond film, The World Is Not Enough, where he plays henchman Gabor. He owns and runs a wrestling school, fitness center and fitness shop that he has been running for 18 years in Menai, Sydney, New South Wales with his family.
Gabiriele Lovobalavu
Athlete
Gabiriele Voduadua Lovobalavu is a Fijian rugby union player. He plays as a centre. Lovobalavu is from Kanakana, Tunuloa in Cakaudrove Province. Prior to completing his Diploma in Teaching at Corpus Christi College, Lovobalavu pursued rugby as a career.
Alipate Fatafehi
Athlete
Alipate Fatafehi is a Tongan rugby union player who plays for Lyon OU in the Top 14 and the Tonga national team. Fatafehi first played professional rugby for Otago in New Zealand from 2006-2008 but failed to secure a regular spot in the team, dropping down to the North Otago side for two games in 2008 before gaining a spot in the team for Otago's last game of 2008. His primary position is on the wing, although he played at fullback for Otago and more recently in line with global trends, has been used as a centre because of his size.
Esala Masi
Soccer Forward
Esala Masi is a Fijian football striker, currently playing for Mitchelton in the Brisbane Second Division in Australia. Masi is regarded as the best Fijian football player of all time, since he has played in Australia and in the English Premier League for the Blackburn Rovers side for over 10 years. Although, Masi was selected for the Blackburn, he never appeared in any game. Masi also played for a short stint at Malaysian club Johor FC in 2005; he was the first Fijian to play in the Malaysian league. His uncle, the late Esala Masi Sr. was also a Fiji international football player in the 1960s; he died in Lautoka Hospital in 2010. His cousin, Manoa Masi has also played in Australia and the national team. Masi made his debut for the Fiji national football team in 1997 against New Zealand and has collected over 30 caps since, averaging almost a goal a game. He has captained the team on several occasions. Esala Masi has been associated with the NZ Master's club run by Vineet Sharma. Esala has been playing for NZ Masters from the age of 35 onwards. The star studded team has seen players like Pita Rabo, Wiseae Nambenu, Usenio Longiavo, Patrick Wise, Henry Dyer and many more.
James Ah Koy
Politician
Sir James Michael Ah Koy, KBE is a Fijian of Chinese and Fijian descent. He is Executive Chairman of Kelton Investments, the IT service provider Datec Group Ltd., Honorary Consul of the Republic of Georgia to Fiji and a board director of forty-six companies. He served as a Cabinet Minister in the 1990s, and was a Senator from 2001 to 2006. He is Fiji's past ambassador to China. Although in mid-2010 he was replaced with Esala Teleni, who took the position.
Jone Tawake
Athlete
Jone Tawake, is a Fijian born rugby union player. He currently competes in the Top 14 for Toulon. He previously played in the Super 14 competition for the ACT Brumbies and the New South Wales Waratahs. His position of choice is flanker or number 8. He is also noted for having had a finger amputated to aid his game.
Tomasi Cama
Athlete
Tomasi Camaneisenirosi is a former Fijian rugby union player. He played for Nabua Rugby Club in Fiji and won 14 caps playing for Fiji making his test debut 10 August 1985 against Australia at Ballymore, Brisbane scoring a try. He played four tests in the 1987 Rugby World Cup. His final match came against Western Samoa 23 Jun, 1990. He is better known as a rugby sevens player, representing Fiji for over ten years and was part of the sides that went unbeaten 1990-1992 in the Hong Kong Sevens. Sporting a beard, he scored a memorable try in the 1990 final against New Zealand. He is the father of New Zealand sevens player Junior Tomasi Cama.
Waisea Luveniyali
Athlete
Waisea Sedre Luveniyali is a Fijian rugby union footballer. He hails from the village of Kasavu in the province of Naitasiri and his mother is from the village of Qarani, Gau in the Lomaiviti group.
Nazhat Shameem
Judge
Nazhat Shameem is a former Fijian judge of Pakistani and Indian descent.
Aaron Groom
Athlete
Aaron Groom born 23 June 1987 in Suva, Fiji is a rugby league player whose most recent club was the Sheffield Eagles in the Co-Operative Championship. He plays as a scrum-half, stand-off and can also operate as a hooker.
Margaret May
Politician
Margaret Ann May, Australian politician, was a Liberal Party of Australia member of the Australian House of Representatives from October 1998 to July 2010, representing McPherson, Queensland. May was born in Ba, Fiji, and was educated at Seaforth TAFE College in Sydney. She was a financial administrator with the New South Wales Department of Education 1982-88 and an electorate secretary before entering politics. May was elected to the seat of McPherson at the 1998 election. She defeated her Labor challenger local Councillor Eddy Saroff at the 2007 election and was subsequently appointed to the Outer Shadow Ministry as Shadow Minister for Ageing until the change in Liberal leadership in December 2009. On 14 August 2009 she announced that she would retire at the 2010 federal election.
Jone Qovu
Athlete
Jone Qovu Nailiko is a Fijian rugby union player. He plays as a number eight.
Naiqama Lalabalavu
Politician
Ratu Naiqama Tawake Lalabalavu is a Fijian Paramount Chief and politician. He was the Minister for Lands and Minister for Mineral Resources in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, prior to his resignation on 7 April 2005. Following the parliamentary election held on 6–13 May 2006, he became Minister for Fijian Affairs, as well as Minister for Lands and Provincial Development.
Alvin Singh
Soccer Midfielder
Alvin Singh in Fiji is a footballer who plays as a Centre back. He has previously played for Hekari United. He currently plays for Ba in the National Football League and the Fiji national football team.
Graham Davis
Journalist
Graham Hunt Davis is a Walkley Award and Logie Award winning Fijian-born Australian journalist. He hosts a weekly Australian television program, The Great Divide on the Southern Cross Austereo TV Network, and is a consultant to the Washington-based global communications company Qorvis on its pro-Frank Bainimarama Fiji account.
Salesh Kumar
Soccer Midfielder
Salesh Kumar is a Fijian football midfielder who currently plays for Three Kings United in the Northern League.
Taniela Waqa
Footballer
Taniela Evo Waqa is a Fijian association football defender playing for Fiji national football team and Labasa FC in the Fijian National Football League. He also participated in the 2007 South Pacific Games football tournament.
Archie Watkins
Footballer
Archie Watkins is a Fijian soccer player who plays for Suva FC.
Lote Raikabula
Athlete
Lote Raikabula is a New Zealand rugby player who has played both Rugby Union and Rugby sevens. He currently plays for the All Blacks Sevens team in the IRB Sevens World Series. He has played more than 60 tournaments since his debut in 2006, playing in 20 tournament-winning teams. With five IRB Sevens World Series medals, a Rugby World Cup Sevens title and two Commonwealth Games gold medals he is arguably New Zealand Sevens' most successful player. Raikabula has played Rugby Union for both Hawkes Bay and Manawatu in the Air New Zealand Cup.
Graham Dewes
Athlete
Graham Charles Dewes is a Fijian rugby union player. He plays as a prop.
Alvin Avinesh
Soccer Midfielder
Alvin Avinesh is a Fijian soccer player who plays for Labasa FC.