Seventeen-year-old Suliano Koro Tuiqalau showcased his remarkable talent by winning a gold medal in the youth category and a silver in the junior category at the 2024 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship held at the Vodafone Arena.
From Wainiyabia Village in Serua, Tuiqalau expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the chance to compete on an international level, representing both his country and family. Although he initially had reservations about weightlifting, he developed a passion for the sport after being introduced to it at school and training alongside his peers.
“I’m not the strongest lifter in the Fiji team, but after winning these medals, I feel incredibly grateful because I did it for my vanua and for my family,” Tuiqalau shared. “I think after competing last year, I started to get into weightlifting. It was a new experience, and I’m thankful for everything I’ve learned.”
The sport was introduced at his school, which encouraged him to participate. “At first, I didn’t like it, but from the moment I stepped into the gym and trained with my teammates, I became hooked on the sport,” he said.
Despite the difficulties he faced during his intense preparations for the championship—including mastering new techniques and enduring challenging training sessions—Tuiqalau remained committed to enhancing his skills and performance.
He is now focused on competing in the upcoming Oceania championships and Minigames. While he is unsure about his future in weightlifting, Tuiqalau remains open to new opportunities, acknowledging that only time will reveal what lies ahead. The Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship wrapped up yesterday.