Nehemiah is currently ranked number one in the Pacific in the 88kg category.
Nehemiah Elder (left) with his three gold medals at the 2025 IWF World Youth Championships in Lima, Peru. Photos: Weightlifting Fiji
International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) world youth champion Nehemiah Elder is now a wanted man.
The 16-year-old created history in May by winning three gold medals at the 2025 IWF World Youth Championships in Lima, Peru, in the men’s 89kg youth division.
He won gold medals in all three categories- Snatch, Clean and Jerk, and Total. Nehemiah lifted 152kg in the snatch and followed with a 180kg clean and jerk, achieving a total of 332kg to secure a clean sweep.
Nehemiah is now receiving offers from Arab countries to switch his allegiance. He has been told to ‘name his price’.
This was confirmed by Weightlifting Fiji head coach and father Henry Elder during an interview with SUNsports yesterday.
“His performance in Peru in the World Championships is an achievement that super-cedes all individual sports in Fiji,” Elder said
“To win three gold medals at an international tournament is an immense achievement.”
That performance in Lima, Peru, was enough for the weightlifting giants to sit up and take notice of this young Fijian.
“We had lots of interests from other countries who wanted to buy him.
International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) world youth champion Nehemiah Elder with his coach and father Henry Elder.
“We know that Eileen Cikamatana won the gold medal for Fiji at the Commonwealth Games, it was Australia that ran straight after her,” he said.
Elder said he has discussed it with Nehemiah and they still want to represent their country.
“We want to represent Fiji even though we don’t have a lot of money being allocated for us. We are Fijians and we want to lift the flag of Fiji and represent our country.”
Elder said the focus now is on the Palau Mini Games in Koror, Palau, from June 29 to July 9, where the youngster wants to do his best for his country.
Nehemiah is currently ranked number one in the Pacific in the 88kg category.
“If it is God’s will, he (Nehemiah) should come back with three gold medals. From now until then anything can happen but we are composed and prepared as we get closer to the Games.
“Yesterday (on Tuesday), he (Nehemiah) did a 210kg front squat and I was shocked. The way he stood up and down like it was nothing. So I knew that he is ready mentally and physically,” Elder said.
Weightlifting Fiji has also named nine athletes to take part at the Palau Mini Games.
They are:
- Mereia Turaganivalu- 63kg
- Chrystalle Kai- 69kg
- Miriama Taletawa- 77kg
- Poama Qaqa- 71kg
- Daniel Shaw- 79kg
- Nehemiah Elder- 88kg
- Zion Tokona- 110kg
- Taniela Raibogi- 110kg
- Setareki Matau- 110kg +
Elder said all the lifters are medal prospects and they look forward to a good outing.
“It is a young team and I know what they are capable of. We are going big in Palau and we believe that when we have God on our side, nothing is impossible,” he added.
Feedback: josua.buredua@fijisun.com.fj
