Taniela Rainibogi and Miriama Taletawa have raised the bar in the sport of weightlifting, and it is now up to them and their fellow competitors to uphold this high standard and consistently excel.
The duo garnered top honors at the 2023 Fiji Sports Awards, where they were recognized as the Fiji Sports Council Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year. Throughout their sporting journeys in 2023, both athletes have achieved remarkable success, setting new milestones and inspiring their peers in the process.
Rainibogi had an outstanding season, winning several local competitions and earning a silver medal at the Pacific Elite International tournament. He secured gold in the men’s 109kg category at the Commonwealth Championships in India and became the first Fijian male athlete in 70 years to win a silver and three bronze medals in the clean and jerk at the IWF Grand Prix in Qatar. The 24-year-old also served as Team Fiji’s flag bearer at the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands, where he won three gold medals and was honored as the overall best athlete.
Reflecting on his achievements, Rainibogi expressed his gratitude, stating, “It’s been a long time coming, I feel happy, and it was good to be recognized. I want to dedicate this achievement to all the people who reached out to us, to those who believed in us, our families, and not forgetting my wife and daughter.”
Family support has been crucial for Rainibogi as he strives for excellence in this challenging sport. “My biggest motivation is my family and the young athletes that are training in weightlifting because they have been facing many hard times and obstacles. I must work hard and put this sport where it belongs,” he added. He encourages young athletes to believe in themselves and stay true to who they are.
Rainibogi was nominated alongside 12 other strong contenders from sports such as archery, basketball, hockey, rugby league, rugby union, special Olympics, squash, swimming, table tennis, and taekwondo. His next challenge will be the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship at the Vodafone Arena later this month.