Weightlifting Fiji’s head coach, Henry Elder, remains optimistic as the team refocuses efforts after their recent participation in the Commonwealth Championships held in India. Athletes have demonstrated progress, yet Elder stresses the necessity of increasing their weightlifting totals by up to 20 kilos in the months ahead to secure a place in the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Scotland.
The team has experienced an intense year filled with international competitions, which, when combined with financial constraints, has made maintaining peak performance levels challenging. Elder acknowledges the difficulty ahead, stating, “It’s going to be a big challenge, but I believe it’s possible. Our focus now is to push their totals by 10 to 20 kilos to keep them in the top eight.”
Over the upcoming months, athletes will undergo evaluations, rehabilitation, and specially tailored training to identify and improve on key areas, all aimed at supporting their final push towards qualification. Fiji’s weightlifting team has already participated in seven tournaments this year, including the Pacific Mini Games in Palau, gaining valuable competitive experience.
Despite ongoing financial challenges, Elder highlights the role of spiritual belief as a form of support to help the team reach its goals. Thus far, Taniela Rainibogi is the only athlete to have secured a place in the Commonwealth Games, following his gold medal performance in the men’s 110kg category at the Indian championships.
Other athletes, currently within the top eight rankings, must uphold their standings until the final qualifying event in May to ensure their spots. This period is seen as a critical step in Fiji’s strategic use of global competitions to hone their athletes’ skills, a commitment to nurturing talent, and a drive toward international success in weightlifting.
Despite challenges, Weightlifting Fiji’s ongoing efforts and focus on strategic improvements underscore a broader commitment to excellence within the sport. As the team prepares for upcoming challenges, their ongoing progress and indomitable spirit promise a hopeful outlook for achieving future success on the international stage.