Usaia Sotutu

Last updated

Usaia Sotutu
Personal information
Full nameUsaia Naiteitei Sotutu
NationalityFlag of Fiji.svg  Fiji
Born (1947-09-20) 20 September 1947 (age 76)
Tavea, Bua, Fiji
Height1.66 m (5 ft 5 in)
Weight63 kg (139 lb)
Sport
Sport Athletics
Event(s) 5000 metres
10,000 metres
3000 metres steeplechase
University team Brigham Young University Cougars
Team Team Fiji
Coached byClarence Robison [1]
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)5000m – 15:11.8 (1969)
10000m – 31:32.0 (1971)
3000m Steepl – 8:48.0 (1971)
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji
Olympic Games
(South) Pacific Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1975 Tumon 1500 m
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1971 Pirae 5000 m
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1971 Pirae 10,000 m
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1971 Pirae 3000 m steeplechase
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1971 Pirae 4x400 m relay
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1969 Port Moresby 10,000 m
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1969 Port Moresby 3000 m steeplechase
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1966 Nouméa 3000 m steeplechase
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1979 Suva 1500 m
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1979 Suva 3000 m steeplechase
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1975 Tumon 3000 m steeplechase
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1966 Nouméa 10,000 m
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 1975 Tumon 10,000 m
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 1969 Port Moresby 5000 m
Updated on 26 April 2013.

Usaia Naiteitei Sotutu (born 20 September 1947 in Tavea, Bua, Fiji) is a former runner who represented Fiji at the 1972 Summer Olympics. [2]

Contents

Personal life

Usaia was born in 1947 to Tevita Naiteitei and Akisi Buasega in Fiji. He represented Fiji in several international track and field competitions, including the South Pacific Games and the Summer Olympics. Shortly after participating in the Olympics, he attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, on a full scholarship for track and cross-country. While attending BYU, he converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. [3] In 1973, he took a break from his college and track career to serve a two-year mission for the Church back in Fiji. He went on to marry Catherine Marie Olson in 1975, who was also studying at BYU. Upon finishing his education in Provo, he, Cathie, and their first son, David, moved back to Fiji, and they lived there for the next three years. During that time he taught physical education, and had two more children with Cathie: Juliette and Charles. The Family then moved to Kent, Washington in 1980. There, he went to work for Boeing, and they had two more daughters, Jennifer and Diana. He and Cathie were divorced in 2004, but he still lives in the Seattle, Washington area and still works for Boeing.

Running/athletics career

Usaia was a noted runner in Fiji and was selected to represent Fiji in the South Pacific Games (now Pacific Games) numerous times. In 1972, he was chosen to represent Fiji in the Summer Olympics. He did not win any medals.

Achievements

YearCompetitionVenuePositionEventNotes
Representing Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji
1966 South Pacific Games Nouméa, New Caledonia 3rd10,000 m33:24.7 min
1st3000 m steeplechase9:59.2 min
1969 South Pacific Games Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea3rd5000 m16:05.0 min
1st10,000 m33:13.2 min
1st3000 m steeplechase9:48.8 min
1971 South Pacific Games Pirae, French Polynesia 1st5000 m15:15.4 min
1st10,000 m32:14.6 min
1st3000 m steeplechase9:24.0 min
1st4 × 400 m relay3:18.5 min
1975 South Pacific Games Tumon, Guam 1st1500 m4:04.41 min
3rd10,000 m32:58.94 min
2nd3000 m steeplechase9:51.4 min
1979 South Pacific Games Suva, Fiji2nd1500 m3:59.97 min
2nd3000 m steeplechase9:28.06 min

After Retirement

It is not known when he retired, but he was ushered into the Fiji Sports Hall of Fame in 1993.

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References

  1. Harmon, Dick (19 April 2004). "Robinson went the distance". www.deseret.com. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  2. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Usaia Sotutu Olympic Results". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  3. Deseret News 1999-2000 Church Almanac. Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret News. 1998. p. 555. ISBN   1573454915.