Usaia Naiteitei Sotutu (born 20 September 1947 in Tavea, Bua, Fiji) is a former runner who represented Fiji at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
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. 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 Representing 1966South Pacific GamesNouméa, New Caledonia3rd10,000 m33:24.7 min1st3000 m steeplechase9:59.2 min1969South Pacific GamesPort Moresby, Papua New Guinea3rd5000 m16:05.0 min1st10,000 m33:13.2 min1st3000 m steeplechase9:48.8 min1971South Pacific GamesPirae, French Polynesia1st5000 m15:15.4 min1st10,000 m32:14.6 min1st3000 m steeplechase9:24.0 min1st4 × 400 m relay3:18.5 min1975South Pacific GamesTumon, Guam1st1500 m4:04.41 min3rd10,000 m32:58.94 min2nd3000 m steeplechase9:51.4 min1979South Pacific GamesSuva, Fiji2nd1500 m3:59.97 min2nd3000 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.
Internal References Fiji at the 1972 Summer Olympics
References
External links
Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee#Fiji Sports Hall of Fame