Apolonia Vaivai’s final lift in the clean and jerk keeps her chances alive to compete in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Vaivai, who is currently Fiji’s Number One women lifter, settled in second place in the snatch with a lift of 92kg behind teammate Eileen Cikamatana who managed 93kg.

The Tavuki, Taveuni native did not give up but lifted the momentum in the clean and jerk.

She successfully lifted 112kg in her second attempt. In reply Cikamatana was also equal to the occasion in her final attempt.

But Vaivai looked determined and focused for her final attempt as she moved the bar to 114kg and successfully lifted it with joy, the final lift which awarded her the gold.

The 25-year-old said after seeing Cikamatana lifting 112kg she made a vow to herself to beat her teammate and keep her Rio chances alive.

“When Eileen lifted 112kg, I just told myself that I’ve have to beat her because I want to go to the place that everyone is aiming for and that is Rio,” Vaivai said.

She believes the challenges that they went through as a team has boosted her performance to win gold yesterday.

“The main challenge that we went through was Tropical Winston, we lost our gym and we don’t even have enough training officials.

“These challenges has made us stronger for this championship and making our country proud.

“I want to thank our families, Weightlifting Fiji, FASANOC, ONOC and  the Government  for their support.”

Edited by Osea Bola

Feedback:  anasilir@fijisun.com.fj