Fiji has lost a top Judoka, who was also a top administrator and a well known sports personality.
Viliame Takayawa Senior passed away this morning at his home in Tamavua after a short illness.
FASANOC vice-president Atma Maharaj speaking from Brisbane said Takayawa was a great sportsman and will be missed by the sports fraternity in the country.
Takayawa who was born in Vatukoula in 1949, took up Judo at the age of 17. In 1971 he won a bronze medal at the South Pacific Games in Tahiti. He was the first Fiji judoka to win a Gold Medal at the South Pacific Games in Suva in 1979.
As the 4th Dan Blackbelt in Judo, Takayawa was proud to don the Fiji colours at the Pan Pacific Judo Championships, the Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988 Olympic Games, the Edinburgh 1986 Commonwealth Games and the US Open Championships.
Takayawa was also named the Fiji Sportsman of the Year in 1982 and retired from competitive judo in 1988.
Funeral details will be released later.
Takayawa Senior passes away
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