Lifters on track for Commonwealth Games

Four Weightlifting Fiji (WF) lifters are eyeing for a spot in next year's Commonwealth Games. They are Miriama Taleta­wa, Poama Qaqa, Daniel Shaw and Mereia Turaganivalu.

The four, are preparing for the 2026 Oceania Weightlifting Champion­ships in Apia, Samoa, from April 25 to May 6, next year. The event will also serve as the final qualification event for Oceania lifters for the Com­monwealth Games.

The lifters attended an intensive training camp in Apia at the Oceania Weightlifting Institute and Academy at the Tuanaimato Sports Complex. Speaking to SUNsports, WF head coach Henry Elder said they are on track with their training and will continue to work hard.

"We have a young strong team and I am really impressed with their training," he said.

"They want to qualify and they are really progressing well as time goes by."

Also in camp is 2023 Sportsman of the Year Taniela Rainibogi along with development lifters, Etera Ra­baua, Iowane Claude, Atelina Vula­kouvaki, Tevita Tabakaucoro, Israel Mario and Daniel Hepzibah.

"All these athletes did extremely well. I'm very encouraged and excit­ed about their performances.

"We had athletes posting PB's (per­sonnel best) every day at training and Taniela broke his own Common­wealth snatch record in training twice," he said.

During training, Taletawa posted a 130kg block clean and did a 120kg clean and jerk at a bodyweight of 78kg. Qaqa did a personal best and na­tional record clean and jerk of 165kg and snatched a personal best and na­tional record of 131kg. Turaganivalu, 15, posted a massive 100kg clean and 73kg snatch at a bod­yweight of 64kg.

Shaw lifted his personal best in his snatch five times at the camp and also his clean and jerk 6 times before hitting his best in 160 and narrowly missing a 165kg clean and jerk.

"Our development lifters are doing extremely well.

"Newcomers, Iowane Calude and Etera Rabaua from Rabi were very impressive and they have just be­gun," he said.

Elder added the team would look to push their personal best and put Fiji on the map internationally as time goes on.

Weightlifting Fiji is preparing for its nationals on December 20 and Elder knows there would be a lot of competition.