"Had my first practice on Tuesday and it's my first time here, let alone competing in the games but it's good and something different.
"This [heavyweight championship] is fun and enjoyable. It means I have to keep up my training and I guess it's more the techniques than physical strength that gets you through."
The first Fijian to participate in games competition, Mr Tabakinabou said he had told fellow countrymen in Whangarei about his participation.
He looked comfortable in the traditional Scottish skirt, saying it was similar to the sulu, a type of skirt traditionally worn by men and women in Fiji.
Competing in front of a large crowd didn't bother him as he's played rugby in front of thousands of fans in Fiji.
Hellier said it felt a bit weird to watch competitors from the sideline in the event he ruled for 18 years.
"But it's time for a new champion. There's good competition between a few guys and I don't think it's going to be a runaway."