Parkour athletes in Fiji are ramping up their efforts to broaden the reach of the sport and establish a sustainable pathway for future competitors. Elite athlete Shivam Chand, who represented Fiji at the Parkour World Championships in Kitakyushu, Japan in 2024, has underscored that enhancing participation is the top priority for the current season.
Parkour is recognized as one of the three disciplines under the national gymnastics federation, alongside Aerobic Gymnastics and Gymnastics for All. This dynamic sport allows athletes to navigate through obstacles while creatively transitioning from one point to another, employing techniques that include running, jumping, climbing, vaulting, and rolling. It not only showcases physical prowess but also artistic expression.
The Flight Crew, a team of approximately eight core members based both in Fiji and abroad, brings together individuals from various fields such as sports, dance, and breaking. Notably, five members have represented Fiji in the Speedrun category at the World Championships, highlighting the team’s competitive spirit and dedication.
To stimulate growth, the Flight Crew is initiating recruitment drives aimed at bringing in new participants. Alongside these efforts, they are investigating scholarship opportunities to train prospective coaches. They also aspire to include Parkour in the local games calendar for the year, further improving its visibility within the community.
Chand is passionate about increasing the number of practitioners for the sport’s viability. “Our main goal for this year is to recruit and introduce more people to Parkour. We aim to grow the sport as much as possible, as there are currently only a small number of athletes practicing Parkour in Fiji,” he remarked.
Looking towards 2026, Chand envisions a comprehensive strategy that includes fostering grassroots participation, establishing local crews, providing classes, achieving financial sustainability, hosting competitions for established groups, and creating an international competitive pathway for athletes.
The Parkour community is actively seeking collaboration and support from existing clubs, gymnastics organizations, and the media. By raising awareness and implementing successful development models, they aim to elevate the discipline to new impressive heights. This unified focus on expansion and community engagement provides a hopeful outlook for the future of Parkour in Fiji.