Taniela Rainibogi and Miriama Taletawa have made a significant impact in the realm of weightlifting, setting a high standard for themselves and their fellow athletes. They were honored at the 2023 Fiji Sports Awards, where Rainibogi was named Sportsman of the Year and Taletawa earned the title of Sportswoman of the Year.
Both athletes excelled throughout their 2023 season, establishing new benchmarks and inspiring others in their sport. Rainibogi’s achievements included victories in local competitions, a silver medal at the Pacific Elite International tournament, and a gold medal in the men’s 109kg category at the Commonwealth Championships in India. Notably, he became the first Fijian male athlete in 70 years to secure a silver and three bronze medals in the clean and jerk at the IWF Grand Prix in Qatar.
At just 24 years old, Rainibogi also served as the flag bearer for Team Fiji at the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands, where he won three gold medals and was recognized as the best overall athlete. Expressing his gratitude for the recognition, he stated, “It’s been a long time coming, I feel happy, and it was good to be recognized. I want to dedicate this achievement to all the people who reached out to us, to those who believed in us, our families and not forgetting my wife and daughter.”
Family continues to play a crucial role in Rainibogi’s pursuit of excellence in this challenging sport. He highlighted that his motivation stems from both his family and the younger athletes training in weightlifting, encouraging them to overcome obstacles. “My message to the young ones is to believe in themselves and be yourself,” he added.
Rainibogi was nominated for the esteemed award alongside 12 other athletes from various sports, including archery, basketball, rugby league, and swimming. Looking ahead, he is preparing for the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship, which is scheduled to take place at the Vodafone Arena later this month.