To be the Fiji Sports Council 2023 Sportsman is the start of bigger things coming his way.

Weightlifter Taniela Rainibogi after picking up his award at the Vodafone Arena on Saturday night said, “This is the start of something big and is just the beginning.”

The 26-year-old scooped the prestigious award after a stellar performance last year.

For the first time, Weightlifting Fiji scooped a double by winning the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Awards.

Rainibogi won the top award for his outstanding performance in the Commonwealth Games and the Oceania Championships and was the first-ever male lifter from Fiji in 70 years to win a silver medal at world level.

He won three gold medals at the Pacific Games, gold at the Commonwealth Championships, and silver at the World Grand Prix.

He also broke three Oceania and three Commonwealth records and was named the top athlete at the Pacific Games.

19-year-old Miriama Taletawa won the Sportswoman of the Year Award by securing one bronze at the Commonwealth Championships and two silver medals at the Oceania Championships in Samoa last year.

“I feel so happy,” Rainibogi said.

“I can’t express what it means but I am so happy to receive it,” he said.

Rainibogi expressed his gratitude to everyone who had contributed along his journey as it was not an easy one.

He said the sport means a lot to him because it is a sport that not as popular in Fiji.

“I would walk from Nakasi to the gym, it was a struggle but I never gave up,” he said.

“I kept on believing in working hard to inspire young people.

“We’ve got young talented lifters that will make a difference in the future and we look forward to it.”

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