Australian weightlifter Eileen Cikamatana expressed to SUNsports that the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship (CWC) will provide an opportunity to assess her performance following the recent Paris Olympics.
“I started training a few weeks ago to prepare for the tournament,” Cikamatana stated.
“I’m here to move my body around, compete with other athletes from the Commonwealth region, and enjoy the tournament with fellow participants,” she added.
Cikamatana mentioned that her coach, Paul Coffa, establishes targets for all her competitions.
“I want to enjoy this experience in front of my friends and family who have come from various islands to watch me compete,” she said.
“It’s inspiring to see everyone lifting and pursuing their dreams as athletes. I love hearing their stories about striving to become elite athletes,” she noted.
Cikamatana highlighted the importance of seeing a new generation of lifters participating in the tournament.
“I support youth and junior lifters, trying to encourage them not to give up too soon,” she shared.
“Don’t abandon your dreams because success doesn’t come overnight; it requires hard work, commitment, and sacrifice.”
Cikamatana expressed her happiness to represent Australia in her home country.
“I last competed here in 2016, and I’m back after eight years,” she said.
She will compete on Friday at 4:30 PM in the 87kg and 81kg plus categories.
Cikamatana urged the people of Fiji to come out in large numbers to support weightlifters from the Commonwealth region.
The tournament began at the Vodafone Arena yesterday and will wrap up on Saturday.