Eight weightlifters from Fiji are set to compete today in the ongoing 2024 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships at the Vodafone Arena in Suva.
The men’s 96kg A event will kick off at 10 am, featuring Fijian lifters Tomasi Saukuru, Charlie Lolohea, and Zion Tokona, who will vie for gold among eight other competitors. Tokona is a notable athlete, having won gold and double bronze at the Oceania Weightlifting Championships, and will compete in junior, youth, and senior categories.
Later in the day, at 12:30 pm, Olimaipa Secivo will compete in the women’s 81kg A event across junior, youth, and senior categories, alongside fellow competitor Elizabeth Waqavou.
In the afternoon, Suliano Tuqalau and Timothy Vakuruivalu will take part in the men’s 102kg A event. Tuqalau recently represented Fiji at the Oceania Junior & Youth Weightlifting Championships held in Auckland, New Zealand. Meanwhile, Vakuruivalu, who secured bronze in the senior men’s 109kg category at the Oceania Weightlifting Championship earlier this year, will also compete in this category.
Sinate Savou rounds out the Fijian competitors in the women’s +81kg A, 87kg A events for all categories. She will be competing at 4:30 pm, sharing the stage with former Fijian lifter Eileen Cikamatana, who will represent Australia in the senior category. Cikamatana’s appearance marks her first competition in Fiji since she switched national representation in 2019.