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Nazvi Careem

Fijian superfan Epeli Buliciri started a journey 11 years ago and, if it ever were to stop, he hopes it will be in Hong Kong.
The 46-year-old has never missed a HSBC World Sevens Series tournament in 11 years and the Hong Kong Sevens is his 81st event in a row, visiting all the venues on the circuit several times over.
He is also the patriarch of the Blue Wiggers supporters’ club – a group of dispersed Fijians who come from all over the world to meet up every year at the Hong Kong Sevens.
Their passion for sevens and Hong Kong reflects perfectly the theme of HSBC’s new mini-documentary entitled The most devoted sports fans in the world – Fiji’s Hong Kong obsession.


“Hong Kong is the best,” said the England-born Buliciri, who said the blue wigs are in tribute to the national colour of Fiji. “Hong Kong raise the bar every year. Only two others come close, Cape Town and Dubai.
“But then you come to Hong Kong and they raise the bar again. No one can beat Hong Kong.”

Such is his passion for the Hong Kong Sevens, Buliciri said: “When I die, I want my ashes to be spread in Hong Kong ... in this stadium.”
Buliciri’s group first came to Hong Kong 11 years ago and in that time they have commandeered the lower part of the North Stand, where their bright blue wigs can be seen from the other side of the stadium

The video features interviews with rugby fans in Fiji as they talk about the special status the Hong Kong Sevens holds in the country.
It is produced by filmmaker Bruce Southwick – who also made The Pioneers, about the rise of USA Sevens, and T he most unbelievable story in rugby – Sevens from Heaven, about Fiji’s journey to the 2016 Rio Olympics gold medal.

The 2019 Blue Wiggers feature several of the fans who first came 11 years ago as well as one supporter who has been coming to Hong Kong for more than 20 years.
“Hong Kong Sevens is Fiji and Fiji is Hong Kong Sevens,” said one of the original female members. “We really feel that way. This is Fiji’s home ground. They have won four in a row and we want five.
“We never get bored when they win. Win or lose, we are still here.”
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Nemani Loulou is a rookie Blue Wigger, making his first trip to Hong Kong after watching the tournament all his life on television.
“I’ve always wanted to come to Hong Kong, watching it on the TV screen is not enough,” said Loulou, a solicitor in Fiji. “It’s like a dream come true and it is quite overwhelming.



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Hong Kong Sevens

‘I want my ashes spread over Hong Kong Stadium’: Fiji’s Blue Wiggers fans exude passion for their favourite sevens event

Fiji superfan Epeli Buliciri enjoying another Hong Kong Sevens. Photo: Nazvi Careem

Fans in Fiji watching the Hong Kong Sevens on TV.

Epeli Buliciri with Fiji coach Ben Ryan in 2018. Photo: Facebook

Nemani Loulou.

Fiji fan Epeli Buliciri on his 81st sevens tournament.

Fiji fans at Hong Kong Stadium

Familiarity is why we love the Hong Kong Sevens – enjoy it while you can

The Hong Kong Stadium – and Causeway Bay – comes alive every Sevens weekend. Photo: Jonathon White

***FOR NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY*** Fans on the third and final day of the Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens at the Hong Kong Stadium on April 08, 2018. 08APR18 R7 SCMP / Sam Tsang

***FOR NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY*** First day at the Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens at Hong Kong Stadium on April 06, 2018. 06APR18 R7 SCMP / Edward Wong

***FOR NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY*** Fans cheer on the second day at the Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens at the Hong Kong Stadium on April 07, 2018. 07APR18 R7 SCMP / Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong Stadium in Causeway Bay, with its distinctive open winged sides, which is the venue of the annual Hong Kong Sevens. Photo: Bruce Yan

Hong Kong Sevens: Fiji icon Waisale Serevi vows to make Russia ‘giant killers’

Waisale Serevi says he is ‘sharing the knowledge of sevens’ with Russia as their coach. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Russian coach Waisale Serevi from Fiji, at a press conference in Hung Hom. 03APR19 SCMP / Xiaomei Chen

Captains of teams competing in the annual Hong Kong Rugby Sevens pose with the winner's trophy (C) in front of a view of the skyline in Hong Kong on April 3, 2019, during a promotional event ahead of the tournament., photographed at the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade. 03APR19 SCMP / Xiaomei Chen

(Left to right): New Zealand coach Clark Laidlaw, American coach Mike Friday, Fiji coach Gareth Baber, and Russian coach Waisale Serevi at a press conference in Hung Hom. 03APR19 SCMP / Xiaomei Chen

HKG10:SPORT-RUGBY SEVENS:HONG KONG,23MAR97 - Fiji's captain Waisale Serevi holds the Melrose Cup aloft as he is lifted up by supporters after his team beat South Africa in the final match of the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Hong Kong March 23. Fiji beat South Africa 24-21. jdp/Photo by John Pryke REUTERS

As it happened: Hong Kong Sevens 2019 live blog day two -- Hong Kong excellent as they reach the semi-finals of the World Series Qualifier

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Agustin Pichot and Brett Gosper speak at Olympic House on the sidelines of the Hong Kong Sevens. Photo: SCMP

***FOR NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY*** Bernard Lapasset (centre, glasses), Brett Gosper (left) both of World Rugby and Zhang Dazhong (right) of Alisports attend a press conference on the sides of the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens on April 10, 2016. 10APR16 [RUGBY SEVENS] SCMP / Bruce YAN

***FOR NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY*** Adrian Kasito (L) from Uganda tackled by Tasi Ma'u of Tonga at the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2017 rugby tournament on April 07, 2017. 07APR17 [R7] SCMP / Jonathan WONG

Lee Jones (#3) celebrates after a game against Tonga on the second day of HK Sevens 2019 at Hong Kong Stadium. 06APR19 R7 SCMP / Jonathan Wong

***FOR NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY*** Brazil wins against Scotland on the Woman's Finals on the first day of HK Sevens 2019 at Hong Kong Stadium. 05APR19 R7 SCMP / Felix Wong

Sport

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HK Sevens


Epeli Buliciri has been bringing Fiji’s Blue Wiggers supporters to the Hong Kong Sevens for the past 11 years
The 46-year-old has been to the past 81 World Series tournaments and says Hong Kong is No 1



Epeli Buliciri has been bringing Fiji’s Blue Wiggers supporters to the Hong Kong Sevens for the past 11 years.
