Fiji’s former world powerlifting champion, Epeli Ligairi, has made a remarkable comeback after being told he would spend his life in a wheelchair due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident in California on April 6, 1990. Ligairi, who resides in Nabalebale, Vanua Levu, attributes his recovery to divine intervention, stating, “I was a cripple, but I now know that God had a plan for me. That’s why he saved my life.”
In a surprising turn of events, Ligairi defied medical advice by removing the plaster cast on his legs three months before scheduled. Doctors had warned him that his legs were so damaged they might need to be amputated, but after removing the cast, he found the strength to walk again. His recovery has reignited his dreams of returning to the powerlifting platform.
Ligairi, 37, has a storied history in sports, having been a champion in Hawaii as well as a US national and US Air Force powerlifting champion. He previously made history in 1981 when he became the first Pacific Islander to win a world title. However, he is also critical of how athletes are treated upon their return from competitions, lamenting that Fijian nations often overlook their national representatives after international events, unlike the support seen in the United States.
Looking forward, Ligairi expressed his determination for a comeback: “Almost everyone still thinks I’m finished. This will be the greatest comeback. I will return and lift with broken hands, legs, and torn ligaments.” His declarations not only showcase his fighting spirit but also serve as an inspiring message to athletes everywhere about resilience and the power of belief in oneself.
His story aligns with the recent narratives of other Fijian athletes such as Taniela Rainibogi, who overcame injury to achieve a remarkable performance at the Commonwealth Championships, emphasizing the strong culture of resilience in Fijian sports. Ligairi’s journey and the recent successes of fellow athletes illustrate a collective spirit of determination and hope that can inspire aspiring sportspeople in Fiji and beyond.
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