Weightlifting Fiji’s recent success of scooping three awards at the Fiji Sports Council (FSC) 2023 sports awards was the highlight of their achievement this year.

Speaking to SUNsports yesterday national coach Henry Elder said he was also pleased with the lifters medal haul at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship.

“We’re very proud and thankful for the athletes’ performances, hard work and dedication,” he said.

“We are also thankful for the support from the Government, it helped made things possible.”

Elder said funding wasan issue that thefederation often faced.

“In order for us to compete at the highest level, we need the financial support to provide the athletes with the best possible means in order for them to perform.

“We will need better facilities, high-tech equipment and some specialist in special areas to come assist the athletes and coaches as well.”

Elder added their federation is also in need of a higher level of medical support system.

“It is important to grow and reach out to the various provinces out there because there’s a lot of talent to be found,” he said.

“The Fiji National Sports Commission has been good with us as they have taken us to a number of outreach programme and we manage to recruit athletes.”

Elder is hopeful of a good outing for Weightlifting Fiji at the Commonwealth games in 2026.

“Our preparation for that also has begun and we’ve already started identifying a few people who can be medal finishers,” he said.

“We are working on that, but we also need to grow our sport in terms of numbers of participants and with better financial support we’ll be able to do that.”

Taniela Rainibogi won the FSC 2023 Sportsman of the Year while Miriama Taletawa won the Sportswoman of the Year.

Nehemiah Elder won young male athlete of the year.

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