Tokyo Olympics

The game had to into extra time with scores locked 17-all at full time.

However, the Fijiana still has a chance to win a medal as they’ll feature in the bronze playoff at 8:30 (Fiji Time) tonight.

Some casual play by the Fijiana gifted New Zealand with an unconverted try in the first half.

Fiji playing with so much confidence got their act together and a break was made by Aloesi Nakoci who put Reapi Uluinasau into space.

It is a historical moment for the Fijiana as they’re now in contention for a medal.

The side will meet New Zealand in the semifinal at 2pm (Fiji Time) today.

Aloesi Nakoci struck first after two minutes following some patient buildup up for a 7-nil lead.

Fiji went to a 14-nil lead when Ana Maria Naimasi sliced through the Australian defense to dot down between the sticks.

However, the Fijiana was reduced to six players when Vasiti Solikoviti was sent off for a high tackle.

The team returned home without their coach Gareth Baber, who is travelling to the UK to visit his family.

Among the passengers on the flight this morning were several other Fijian athletes who participated in the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

All the travelers have been taken to a quarantine facility for 14 days of compulsory isolation and tests for COVID-19 as part of protocols.

Meanwhile, Police stopped the media from covering the team’s arrival at the airport this morning.

That would be so Val. So the great Dame. At 36, at her fifth Olympics, having had not one, but two babies during this Games cycle, to scale the mountaintop one last time would be not just the ultimate comeback tale, but a fitting note on which to wrap up a shot put career studded with glory.

Adams is very much the story of the New Zealand athletics team of 13 who will begin competition on Friday, not to mention one of the cast-iron medal hopes. She will lead the charge from the front too, with shot put qualifying set for opening night.

Earlier today, Sports Illustrated confirmed US pole vaulter Sam Kendricks had tested positive and is out of the Tokyo Olympic games.

As a matter of precaution, Australians and others identified as close contacts will now be tested and will await their results.

Results can be returned in about six hours, but that will be a long six hours for those waiting to have their concerns confirmed or put aside, not to mention the stress of having training cut short.

This is precisely the scenario many had predicted ahead of the games and now the system will be tested in full.

Celebrations even took to the streets despite a curfew back in Fiji.

Pictures and videos of fireworks lighting the up skies and people blowing whistles and screaming around in their neighborhoods flooded social media platforms.

For Ratu Meli Derenalagi’s family in Nadi, it was a proud moment for them seeing their son score a try in the final and winning a gold medal.

Ratu Vuniani told FBC News that for his son to also score the first try during the gold medal game is something that he will never forget.

The win brought people out onto the streets in some suburbs back home in Fiji despite a curfew in place as the country battles with a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.     

Captain Jerry Tuwai also became the first player in World Rugby history to win successive Olympic gold medal.

Fiji struck first when Sireli Maqala stripped the ball off Joe Webber before passing to Iosefo Masi who took it into contact then gave it to big Meli Derenalagi who dived over in the corner.

GB claimed six medals on Tuesday, including two silvers and three bronzes, to take their tally to 13 overall and put them fifth in the medal table.

It more than doubles Britain's previous best medal haul of six after the first four days, achieved at the 2000, 2008 and 2016 Games.

Dean, 21, who contracted Covid for the second time six months ago, edged out compatriot Duncan Scott into second by 0.04secs in the 200m freestyle swimming.

And Georgia Taylor-Brown fought back from a puncture on the last lap of the bike leg to take triathlon silver.

New Zealand will be out with all guns blazing after they lost to Fiji in the quarter-final at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016.

Captain Jerry Tuwai is the lone player from the 2016 gold medal winning team and a win tonight will cap off his illustrious rugby career.

 Earlier in the day, Fiji defeated Argentina 26-14 in the semi-final.

Fiji had much of the possession in the first four minutes as they ran in two tries.

Sireli Maqala showed his strength and skills as he powered his way through for an unconverted try.

Vakasama clocked 1:05:78 second in heat one.

Team Fiji athletes who have been in action so far in the Tokyo Games include Vakasama, table tennis rep Sally Yee, sailor Sophia Morgan and the Fiji 7s team.

The Fijiana 7s will start their campaign on Thursday while Pacific’s fastest man Banuve Tabakaucoro is taking part on Saturday.