Henry Elder, the head coach of Fiji Weightlifting, credits effective planning and hard work for his team’s success at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships currently being held in Suva. Located at the Vodafone Arena, Elder expresses optimism about the potential for the team to achieve medal wins and record-breaking performances.
Reflecting on Fiji’s challenges, Elder recalls the country’s medal drought at the 2019 Pacific Games. He highlights how strategic planning and introspection were pivotal in steering the team towards its present achievements. “Back in 2019, Fiji had not won a single medal at the Pacific Games in weightlifting. We developed a strategic plan by discussing the future within our federation,” Elder explained. “We identified various key areas that needed focus.”
Elder pointed out that the team set a goal to win medals by 2024. He acknowledges that the level of competition at the Commonwealth Championships is significantly higher than at the Pacific Games. “The competition has been quite strong, and we expected this. Some aspects didn’t go as planned, but that’s part of competition and life,” he stated. “It’s essential to remain resilient and reflect on experiences.”
Elder expressed satisfaction with his team’s current performances and their medal wins, noting that the Commonwealth Championships set a much higher standard compared to the Pacific Games. “The Pacific Games are considerably less challenging. We also recognize the Oceania level, but the standards here are very high,” he said.
Looking forward, Elder is eager for Taniela Rainabogi’s performance, hoping to add to their medal tally. The Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships are set to conclude today.