Weightlifter Taniela Rainibogi is optimistic about the future after being named the Fiji Sports Council’s Sportsman of the Year for 2023. Receiving the award at the Vodafone Arena on Saturday night, the 26-year-old remarked, “This is the start of something big and is just the beginning.”
Rainibogi earned this prestigious title thanks to his exceptional achievements over the past year. Notably, Weightlifting Fiji made history by winning both the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Awards for the first time.
His remarkable performance included competing in the Commonwealth Games and the Oceania Championships, along with becoming the first male lifter from Fiji in 70 years to win a silver medal at the world level. He secured three gold medals at the Pacific Games, a gold at the Commonwealth Championships, and a silver at the World Grand Prix. Additionally, Rainibogi shattered three Oceania and three Commonwealth records and was recognized as the top athlete at the Pacific Games.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Miriama Taletawa received the Sportswoman of the Year Award after claiming a bronze at the Commonwealth Championships and two silvers at the Oceania Championships in Samoa.
Rainibogi expressed his joy: “I feel so happy. I can’t express what it means but I am so happy to receive it.” He also took the opportunity to thank those who helped him throughout his journey, which he described as challenging. He emphasized the significance of the sport in Fiji, a place where weightlifting is not widely popular.
Recalling his early days, Rainibogi shared, “I would walk from Nakasi to the gym; it was a struggle, but I never gave up. I kept on believing in working hard to inspire young people. We’ve got young talented lifters that will make a difference in the future, and we look forward to it.”