Fiji’s Daniel Shaw expressed his gratitude after securing a bronze medal in the 81kg junior category at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship. This achievement comes after he spent four months recovering from an elbow injury.
In an interview with SUNsports, the 19-year-old athlete aimed for a silver medal but remained appreciative of his bronze finish, attributing it to divine intervention. “I’m pretty happy that I’ve won bronze despite me pushing for silver in the last attempt,” Shaw stated. He also highlighted his eagerness to compete in the upcoming Pacific Mini Games in Palau.
Shaw described the challenges of returning to competition following his injury, which he sustained while competing at the Oceania Championship in Auckland. “I tore a ligament in my elbow, so I was out for four months, but I started to pick up from there. Around May, I managed to lift a bar over my head and I’ve been training since then for this competition,” he explained.
He acknowledged the need for continued focus on his training and self-improvement. “I’d like to thank the president of Weightlifting Fiji, Della Shaw-Elder, and head coach Henry Elder for believing in me to return to the platform after my injury,” he said, also expressing gratitude to his team for their support and positive mindset throughout his preparation.
Shaw mentioned that observing his competitors at the CWC encouraged him to work harder. “I just have to stay consistent, listen to my coaches, and everything will fall into place,” he noted. He concluded by urging young people to heed their parents’ advice, emphasizing that everything begins at home.