Weightlifting enjoyed a remarkable night at the 2024 Fiji Sports Awards, held at the Vodafone Arena, capturing four prestigious honors. Miriama Taletawa was celebrated as Sportswoman of the Year for the second year in a row, recognized for her outstanding performance at the Oceania Weightlifting Championships in New Zealand, where she won a bronze and a silver medal.
Nehemiah Elder and Mereia Turaganivalu were also honored as Young Male Athlete of the Year and Young Female Athlete of the Year, respectively. This recognition underscores Weightlifting Fiji’s dedication to fostering young talent within the sport. Della Shaw, the President of Weightlifting Fiji, received the ONOC Hanisi Erasito Administrator of the Year accolade for her significant contributions to the organization.
In addition to Weightlifting’s accolades, rugby also shone brightly, with Selestino Ravutaumada named Sportsman of the Year and the FIJI Water Flying Fijians earning the title of Team of the Year. Referee Lavenia Racaca was honored as Technical Official of the Year.
Further accolades were bestowed upon Fred Fatiaki, who was recognized as the FIJI Water Coach of the Year, while Maria Alvarado from the Gymnastics Federation was lauded as Volunteer of the Year. The event also celebrated Baljeet Singh, who won Photograph of the Year for his captivating image of Selestino Ravutaumada in action, reflecting the diverse talent present at the ceremony.
CEO of FASANOC Vanessa Kilner spoke to the unifying power of sports, emphasizing its role in imparting essential life lessons such as teamwork and resilience. With 112 nominees at this year’s awards, the event demonstrated the enthusiastic sports culture in Fiji and hinted at a promising future for its athletes.
The success of these athletes not only inspires their peers but also shines a light on Fiji’s sports landscape, fostering hope for continued success on both local and international stages. Their hard work and dedication serve as a motivating force for future generations to pursue excellence and, ultimately, enhance the country’s sporting legacy.
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