Taniela Rainibogi Edges India's Best To Win Gold Medal
“Thanks to our own families and our Weightlifting Fiji family for all the support. Thanks to our spiritual mentor Pastor Timoci Navunisaravi and all those who’ve contributed and supported our journey,” Elder posted on his Facebook page.
Tuesday 18 July 2023 | 12:46
Fiji’s weightlifter Taniela Rainibogi shows his gold medal during the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship at Gautam Buddha University in Greater Noida in India on July 16, 2023. Photo: Supplied
Fiji men’s weightlifter Taniela Rainibogi defied all odds to win the gold medal in the men’s 109 kilogrammes division of the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships at Gautam Buddha University in Greater Noida in Inidia.
Rainibogi upset gold medal favourites Lovepreet Singh for the top spot.
Singh lifted a combined weight of 341kg (154kg snatch + 187kg clean and jerk) to finish second in the 109kg senior category.
Rainibogi clinched the gold medal with a total lift of 363kg (163kg snatch + 200kg clean and jerk). The bronze medal went to Britain’s Andrew Griffiths, who lifted a total weight of 340kg (155kg snatch + 185kg clean and jerk).
Earlier on Nehemiah Elder won a silver medal and was followed by Miriama Taletawa who clinched a bronze medal in the Junior division of the 71kg category.
Last year Taletawa also won a silver medal at the Oceania Weightlifting Championships and the Pacific Mini Games in Saipan.
Weightlifting Fiji coach Henry Elder posted on social media on their appreciation to the Australian Government for fully funding this trip.
“Thanks to our own families and our Weightlifting Fiji family for all the support. Thanks to our spiritual mentor Pastor Timoci Navunisaravi and all those who’ve contributed and supported our journey,” Elder posted on his Facebook page.
Meanwhile, the Indian senior weightlifting contingent ended the campaign at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships 2023 with a haul of 18 medals on Sunday.
India’s medals tally comprised of eight golds, eight silvers and two bronze.
The two medals on the final day also helped India better their tally from the last edition. Indian lifters won 16 medals, four golds, seven silvers and five bronze, at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships 2021 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj
