Usaia Sotutu

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

Usaia Sotutu
Personal information
Full nameUsaia Naiteitei Sotutu
Nationality Fiji
Born (1947-09-20) 20 September 1947
Tavea, Bua, Fiji
Height1.66 m (5 ft 5 in)
Weight63 kg (139 lb)
Sport
SportAthletics
Event(s)5000 metres
10,000 metres
3000 metres steeplechase
University teamBrigham Young University Cougars
TeamTeam 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  Fiji
Olympic Games
(South) Pacific Games
Gold medal – first place1975 Tumon 1500 m
Gold medal – first place1971 Pirae 5000 m
Gold medal – first place1971 Pirae 10,000 m
Gold medal – first place1971 Pirae 3000 m steeplechase
Gold medal – first place1971 Pirae 4x400 m relay
Gold medal – first place1969 Port Moresby 10,000 m
Gold medal – first place1969 Port Moresby 3000 m steeplechase
Gold medal – first place1966 Nouméa 3000 m steeplechase
Silver medal – second place1979 Suva 1500 m
Silver medal – second place1979 Suva 3000 m steeplechase
Silver medal – second place1975 Tumon 3000 m steeplechase
Silver medal – second place1966 Nouméa 10,000 m
Bronze medal – third place1975 Tumon 10,000 m
Bronze medal – third place1969 Port Moresby 5000 m
Updated on 26 April 2013.

Personal life

Usaia was born to Tevita Naiteitei and Akisi Buasega in 1947 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 later married Catherine Marie Olson in 1975, who was also studying at BYU. After finishing his schooling in Provo, he, Cathie, and their first son, David, moved back to Fiji. They lived there for three years. During that time he taught physical education, and they had two more children, Juliette and Charles. Then they 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  Fiji
1966 South Pacific Games Nouméa, New Caledonia 3rd 10,000 m 33:24.7 min
1st 3000 m steeplechase 9:59.2 min
1969 South Pacific Games Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea 3rd 5000 m 16:05.0 min
1st 10,000 m 33:13.2 min
1st 3000 m steeplechase 9:48.8 min
1971 South Pacific Games Pirae, French Polynesia 1st 5000 m 15:15.4 min
1st 10,000 m 32:14.6 min
1st 3000 m steeplechase 9:24.0 min
1st 4 × 400 m relay 3:18.5 min
1975 South Pacific Games Tumon, Guam 1st 1500 m 4:04.41 min
3rd 10,000 m 32:58.94 min
2nd 3000 m steeplechase 9:51.4 min
1979 South Pacific Games Suva, Fiji 2nd 1500 m 3:59.97 min
2nd 3000 m steeplechase 9:28.06 min

After Retirement

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

Internal References

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.
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