Cape Town - Fijian flyer Samisoni Viriviri has been announced as the 2014 IRB Sevens Player of the Year.
Final standings in the 2013/14 IRB World Series
According to the IRB website, Viriviri's name was called out at a function following the London Sevens at Twickenham, the final round of the 2013/14 HSBC Sevens World Series won by New Zealand.
He becomes the first Fijian to win the award since it was first presented in 2004, having finished the season with 52 tries.
Viriviri beat fellow nominees Kyle Brown (South Africa), Tim Mikkelson (New Zealand) and Tom Mitchell (England) after the outstanding quartet had been shortlisted by the management teams of the 15 core sides who compete at all nine rounds of the World Series.
"I am very proud to win this award and be the first Fijian to be named IRB Sevens Player of the Year. I would like to thank God, my coach, my team-mates and also my mum," said an emotional Viriviri.
IRB Sevens Player of the Year - Roll of honour
2014 - Samisoni Viriviri, Fiji
2013 - Tim Mikkelson, New Zealand
2012 - Tomasi Cama, New Zealand
2011 - Cecil Afrika, South Africa
2010 - Mikaele Pesamino, Samoa
2009 - Ollie Phillips, England
2008 - DJ Forbes, New Zealand
2007 - Afeleke Pelenise, New Zealand
2006 - Uale Mai, Samoa
2005 - Orene Ai'i, New Zealand
2004 - Simon Amor, England
Final standings in the 2013/14 IRB World Series
According to the IRB website, Viriviri's name was called out at a function following the London Sevens at Twickenham, the final round of the 2013/14 HSBC Sevens World Series won by New Zealand.
He becomes the first Fijian to win the award since it was first presented in 2004, having finished the season with 52 tries.
Viriviri beat fellow nominees Kyle Brown (South Africa), Tim Mikkelson (New Zealand) and Tom Mitchell (England) after the outstanding quartet had been shortlisted by the management teams of the 15 core sides who compete at all nine rounds of the World Series.
"I am very proud to win this award and be the first Fijian to be named IRB Sevens Player of the Year. I would like to thank God, my coach, my team-mates and also my mum," said an emotional Viriviri.
IRB Sevens Player of the Year - Roll of honour
2014 - Samisoni Viriviri, Fiji
2013 - Tim Mikkelson, New Zealand
2012 - Tomasi Cama, New Zealand
2011 - Cecil Afrika, South Africa
2010 - Mikaele Pesamino, Samoa
2009 - Ollie Phillips, England
2008 - DJ Forbes, New Zealand
2007 - Afeleke Pelenise, New Zealand
2006 - Uale Mai, Samoa
2005 - Orene Ai'i, New Zealand
2004 - Simon Amor, England