Fifteen-year-old Mereia Turaganivalu is looking forward to another year of representing Fiji in the sport of weightlifting, with several major international tournaments on the schedule. The 2024 Youth Female Athlete of the Year, Turaganivalu last took the stage for Fiji at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships held in India in August 2023 and is eager to demonstrate her skills internationally once more.
Reflecting on the challenges she faced in 2023, Turaganivalu expressed her determination to overcome difficulties as she prepares for the upcoming competition season. “It was hard, quite difficult, but I’ve been praying a lot and I just thank the lord for making it to 2026. But it was really difficult because of my school, schedule of school work and training along with competitions,” she shared.
Coming from a family deeply rooted in weightlifting, Turaganivalu’s mother, Ivy Shaw, is a former Olympian who represented Fiji at the 2004 Athens Games. This familial legacy in the sport bolsters Turaganivalu’s excitement and motivation.
Her track record is equally impressive; she secured both gold and silver medals at the 2024 Oceania Weightlifting Championships, along with a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship. With her remarkable accomplishments at such a young age, Turaganivalu is poised to continue making waves in the world of weightlifting, and her journey serves as an inspiration to young athletes in Fiji and beyond.
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