Weightlifter Taniela Rainibogi has expressed excitement about his future after being named the Fiji Sports Council 2023 Sportsman of the Year. Accepting the award at the Vodafone Arena on Saturday night, the 26-year-old declared, “This is the start of something big and is just the beginning.”
Rainibogi earned this prestigious recognition due to his remarkable achievements over the past year, including an impressive performance at the Commonwealth Games and the Oceania Championships. Notably, he became the first male lifter from Fiji in 70 years to win a silver medal at a world level.
His accolades during the year included three gold medals at the Pacific Games, a gold medal at the Commonwealth Championships, and a silver medal at the World Grand Prix. Additionally, he broke three Oceania and three Commonwealth records and was named the top athlete at the Pacific Games.
In a historic moment for Weightlifting Fiji, Rainibogi’s accomplishment was complemented by the award of Sportswoman of the Year to 19-year-old Miriama Taletawa, who won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Championships and two silvers at the Oceania Championships in Samoa.
After receiving the award, Rainibogi expressed his happiness, saying, “I can’t express what it means but I am so happy to receive it.” He acknowledged the people who supported him on his journey, sharing the struggles he faced, including walking from Nakasi to the gym, but emphasized his determination to succeed.
“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,” he noted.