Rainibogi Inspired By Uncle
Lifter Taniela Rainibogi is anticipating a tough competition in the 92kg+ division at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in England from July 28 to August 6.
This is the 24-year-old’s second Commonwealth Games; he is expecting Samoan lifter, Don Opeloge to be a fierce competitor.
Rainibogi hails from Naweni, Savusavu, Cakaudrove and shares maternal links to Tutu, Rotuma.
“It will be a tough competition and it’s really big for me,” Rainibogi said.
“For this Game, I have to put more focus and stay on it because anything can happen there.
“Toughest opponent will be a Samoan lifter, Opelago and the Canada guy.
“I had started when I was 13, got interested in the sport while watching my uncle Manueli Tulo and families do weightlifting. It’s like a family sport.
Tulo had competed for Fiji at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics, both times he competed in the Men’s 56kg event, finishing 13th. He also won several gold medals for Fiji from various regional events.
Rainibogi first represented Fiji the Oceania Championship held here in 2016 and later at the World Junior Championship in Japan.
The weightlifting competition will start on July 30 and finishes on August 3.
The two weightlifters leave today with the Team Fiji lawn bowls, team Fiji manager Ajay Ballu and Wayne O’Connor.
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