Miriama Taletawa, a distinguished weightlifter, was visibly emotional after being named the 2024 Fiji Airways Sportswoman of the Year at the recent Fiji Sports Awards, held at the Vodafone Arena in Suva. This accolade marks her second consecutive win, having also claimed the title last year.
Taletawa earned this prestigious recognition due to her outstanding performances across various competitions, including her participation at the 2024 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Suva. She expressed her astonishment at receiving the award again, saying, “I’m still surprised. I never thought that it would be the second year for me to be the sportswoman of the year. It’s a big surprise.”
As she looks ahead to the Pacific Mini Games in Palau later this year, Taletawa dedicated her award to her coach, Henry Elder. She credited him as a significant source of inspiration, stating that his guidance has been instrumental in her development as a weightlifter. “He’s the first one to introduce the sport to me and then he trained me, he took me to competitions even in tours overseas,” Taletawa shared. Elder himself had expressed a sense of optimism during the awards nomination ceremony, noting the unpredictability of such recognitions.
Additionally, the event also saw Selestino Ravutaumada from the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua receiving the Sportsman of the Year Award, further highlighting the achievements of Fijian athletes in different sports.
The recognition of Taletawa and her fellow athletes serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for aspiring athletes in Fiji. As shown by their continued successes, hard work and dedication in sports can lead to remarkable accomplishments, paving the way for a promising future for athletic talent in the nation.
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