Weightlifting Fiji celebrated a successful evening at the 2023 Fiji Sports Awards on Saturday, taking home three distinguished awards. Head coach Henry Elder expressed his hope that this recognition would attract greater support for the sport.
The prestigious titles for Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year were awarded to weightlifters Taniela Rainibogi and Miriama Taletawa, while promising young athlete Nehemiah Elder was honored as the Young Male Athlete of the Year. Coach Henry Elder was overjoyed as he celebrated the achievements of his athletes.
“Weightlifting Fiji holds firm to our belief in Matthew 6-33. It’s through God that we have reached this point. My athletes have put in tremendous effort, and while they’ve faced many challenges, I am grateful for this recognition,” Elder remarked.
He elaborated on the hardships endured by his athletes, which they were reluctant to share with him. “For several years, Taniela would walk from Nakasi to Suva for training and then return home in the afternoons. During double training sessions, he would make the same journey multiple times a day, all while seeking employment to support his family,” Elder recounted.
“It was by chance that I learned about his long walks. He would occasionally arrive late, and although I’d ask why, he would simply apologize without revealing the truth. It wasn’t until another athlete told me that I learned Taniela was walking from Nakasi. Hearing this was heartbreaking. Despite his immense struggles, he persevered and eventually won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2022,” Elder added.
As the young athletes continue to strive for their goals, Elder hopes their recent successes will prompt businesses to extend their support. “I hope people recognize that we also represent Fiji. In the last three Commonwealth Games, our weightlifters have brought home medals. We aim high and achieve high, and I hope this recognition will capture attention.”
“We are keen on winning Olympic medals in 2028 and 2032, targeting four to six medals in 2032. We are committed to our training, and with the limited support we receive, we believe we can achieve our goals,” Elder affirmed.
Musician Apakuki Nalawa is among the few who have stepped forward to provide nutritional assistance, along with several businesses that are contributing to creating a competitive environment for weightlifters.