Youth lifters impress coach

Fiji’s young weightlifters Mereia Turaganivalu and Iowane Claude delivered impressive performances during the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Youth World Championships (YWC), combining for personal bests, national records and top 15 finishes.

Speaking to SUNsports yesterday, Fiji head coach Henry Elder said he is proud of the achievements of both athletes.

“Both athletes have gained in valuable experience competing at the highest youth level,” he said. Competing at her second YWC, Turaganivalu completed a flaw less six-from-six performance, recording personal bests in all three lifts. She snatched 77kg and clean and jerked 97kg for a per sonal best total of 174kg.

Her efforts saw her break six Fiji youth and junior records to finish 10th overall, an eight-place improvement from her 18th-place finish at last year’s championships.

Claude also impressed on the world stage, completing five of his six lifts and recording a four kilogramme personal best to finish 13th overall.

Having turned 14 in March, Claude was the youngest lifter in his A session, making his appearance among the world’s best youth lifters an achievement in itself.

“Claude, who still has another three years of eligibility in the youth division, has the potential to challenge for a top five finish, or even a podium placing, at future Youth World Champion ships,” Elder said. “We remain committed to ex posing more youth and junior lifters to elite international com petitions as part of its long-term development programme.”

The experience gained will be vital ahead of next year’s Commonwealth Youth Games in Malta, where Fiji hopes to build on the progress shown by the emerging lifters. Weightlifting Fiji also acknowledged the support of the Fiji National Sports Commission and FASANOC for helping make the team’s participation at the YWC possible.

Feedback: josua.buredua@fijisun.com.fj