How rugby league’s newest cult figure Maika Sivo has also become its strongest

The rise and rise of Parramatta winger Maika Sivo, who has broken an NRL lifting record, signed a new sponsorship deal and still sleeps on the floor of his uncle’s home.

WARNING — PLEASE CHECK DT SPORT BEFORE USE — Portrait of the Fijian flyer Maika Sivo of the Parramatta Eels during a shoot for Puma. Picture. Phil Hillyard

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Maika Sivo wanted to have a crack at squatting 300kg the other day.

Only problem?

“The bar I was using,” he shrugs, “there was no more room on it”.

And so, officially, the sculpted Fijian topped out at 285kg. Or a new Parramatta record.

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Fijian flyer Maika Sivo is the NRL’s strongest man. Picture: Phil Hillyard

And likely, the largest lift by any NRL player anywhere in 2019.

Which alone, is some yarn.

But for Sivo?

Well, simply add it to his growing list of No. 1s.

A staggering pile of firsts for this cult Eels winger who now leads the NRL for most tries, heaviest squat, greatest viral video, even the largest number of fans screaming a surname in unison.

.@ClintGutherson has felt the full force of Maika Sivo and Micheal Jennings reckons it was the highlight of Parramatta's season 😆 via @telegraph_sport @dailytelegraph https://t.co/CqG2EFdGsl pic.twitter.com/LoVv8eb0kK

— Fatima Kdouh (@FatimaKdouh_) September 11, 2019

SIVO CHANTS UP AGAIN!!! Goooo SIVO!! #NRLEelsManly pic.twitter.com/1gl1JL4x3G

— Teine (@princessofsyd) September 6, 2019

Off field, the rookie flyer has also signed a new sponsorship deal with Puma.

Which is no small thing for a fella who, before arriving in Australia four years ago, had never owned even a second-hand pair of footy boots.

“So getting free boots and shoes now, I can’t believe it,” Sivo told The Daily Telegraph this week.

“Growing up in Fiji, I always played barefoot in my village.

“Then as I get older, I borrowed from other players in the team. A lot of us did.

“The guys who were reserves, they wouldn't wear boots so as you went off the field, you just swapped with them.”

Maika Sivo’s new deal with Puma ensures he’ll never need to borrow boots again. Picture: Phil Hillyard

And as for your first pair?

“When I arrive in Australia,” he cackles. “Playing for Gundagai.

“Even this year, I had to go buy them from Peter Wynn’s store.”

But not anymore.

No, apart from new kicks, Sivo’s growing cult status also now boasts that emotional — and viral — reunion video with his dad Joeli, while during Bankwest Stadium games the entire crowd chants his name.

Even better, rugby league’s newest star is also its strongest.

Maika Sivo makes a mockery of an attempted tackle by Manly's Brendan Elliot. Picture: Brett Costello

With his 285kg squat not only the heaviest ever recorded publicly by an NRL player, but 10kg above even renowned Manly strongman Marty Taupau.

“And I wanted to try for 300,” Sivo says without a hint of ego. “But on the bar, there wasn’t room.”

Quizzed on the lift, a rival NRL strength coach says: “Staggering

“Right across the NRL, you wouldn’t find too many guys squatting about 250kg. It’s unbelievable.”

Same deal Sivo now joining a stable of Puma athletes including Jason Taumalolo, Andrew Fifita and Josh Addo-Carr.

i didn’t ask to cry this morning 🙂
check out this video about Maika Sivo and his dad on the Parramatta Eels fb page! pic.twitter.com/mLo0p7S1Ga

— yah-leh (@ieatyourpillows) August 29, 2019

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“Undoubtedly, Maika’s the new standout cult figure of the NRL,” says Pancho Gutstein, GM of Puma Oceania. “The way packed stadiums are now chanting his name — it’s stunning.”

And as for what Sivo makes of it all?

“Having a stadium call your name, I can’t explain it,” he concedes. “My life now, it’s so different.

“That’s why I always think back to my village, remember where I’m from.”

Why he still sleeps on the floor, too.

“Although sometimes when we go away for games, I start in the bed,” the winger says, grinning. “But mostly, I end up back on the floor. It’s more comfy.”

Originally published as How rugby league’s newest cult figure Maika Sivo has also become its strongest