Rainibogi Confident Of Medal Finish
Weightlifter Taniela Rainibogi looks forward to competing in the 96 kilogramme category at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.
The Naweni, Cakaudrove native is competing in his second Commonwealth Games. The first was in 2018 Games in Gold Coast, Australia, where he finished in the top five.
“I know it will be tough but it is the beauty of the game,” Rainibogi said.
“I’ve trained pretty hard for the last year and half. Obviously in the last three weeks I’ve really stepped up my training intensity.”
Early in the year, he was ranked nine but has moved up, says head coach Henry Elder.
“Last week, we’re hoping for an improvement in the standings.
“Hopefully, we can get him in the top five. Possibly, with Taniela, maybe a medal, but it depends on the day since anything can happen.
“We believe that is a possibility. So we’d have to play our cards right and hope for the best,” Elder said.
The veteran trainer said the Games standards are pretty high.
“We are fortunate to have qualified. For us in weightlifting, we qualify in the top 10 in the whole of the Commonwealth.
“To be at the top 10 in the Commonwealth is a big thing in itself. So anything after this is a plus.”
Currently, the top placed lifters are Canadian Boady Satavy followed by Samoa’s Don Opeloge who is likely to settle for silver.
Helen Seipua will make her Commonwealth Games debut in the 87kg category.
She is ranked eighth.
“I’m looking forward to this event, to be in the top 10 is a feat,” said Seipua whose dad is from Samoa and maternal links to Tailevu.
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