Miriama Taletawa proudly returned home with a silver medal in the junior category of the women’s 76kg event at the 2024 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships, held at the Vodafone Arena in Suva on Thursday.
Taletawa successfully lifted 90kg in the snatch and 112kg in the clean and jerk, achieving a total lift of 202kg.
Reflecting on her experience, she expressed joy and excitement upon receiving her silver medal.
“I felt happy and at the same time excited,” she stated.
Competing against top contenders from the Commonwealth, Taletawa described her nerves during her initial lifts.
“When I went for my first attempt, I was very nervous and scared,” she admitted. “After my first attempt, I was shocked to see the result in the snatch category.”
She noted that her surprise stemmed from exceeding her own expectations during the competition.
Preparation with the Fiji team before the tournament was productive, despite some training sessions yielding mixed results.
“The atmosphere was perfect, and everything went smoothly,” she mentioned.
Taletawa acknowledged that while some training days had both good and bad lifts, the overall experience was positive.
Looking ahead, she plans to refine her skills and prepare for future competitions, aiming to enhance her abilities as a weightlifter.
She also expressed heartfelt thanks to her family and team officials, recognizing their unwavering support throughout her journey in weightlifting.
“Thank you very much for your support and for always being there for me in both good times and bad,” she said.
In addition to her recent achievement, Taletawa holds the title of Fiji Sportswoman of the Year.
The championships conclude today in the capital with the final set of events.