He represented Fiji at the 1996 Summer Olympics and the 1996 World Junior Championships in Athletics in the 110 metres hurdles.

[7] Running hurdles he was used to, a month later he took a bronze medal at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Athletics.

The following year, he set the Fijian national record of 13.82 (+0.3) in the 110 metres hurdles in the qualifying round of the IAAF World Championships.

The Fiji Olympic Committee wasn't doling out money to support athletes, so Naivalu followed his brother Saimoni into the world of professional rugby, playing for the San Jose Seahawks.

[10] After being released from jail, he left for Fiji where he currently resides and coaches the Suva Grammar School athletics team for the Coke Games