Eric Jioje’s interest in powerlifting began in 2002 when he heard that Fiji would host the then South Pacific Games the following year.
At the time, he was working at the then Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT) in Suva.
Jioje had just hung his rugby league boots when he joined FIT in 2000
“In early 2002, I attended my first training, I didn’t do well but I suppose our national coach back then, Eliesa Irava, saw potential in me and recruited me into the team,” he said in a press statement issued by the Fiji National University.
“I had to sacrifice a lot of things during this time but participating in the 2003 SPG is still the highlight of my sporting career.”
In his powerlifting journey, Jioje gained exposure by participating in numerous tournaments, including the 2004 Oceania Powerlifting Championship in Suva, the 2005 Commonwealth Powerlifting Championship in England, the 2010 Oceania Games in Samoa, the 2011 Pacific Games in New Caledonia, the 2015 Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea and the 2019 Oceania Regional Powerlifting Championship in Gold Coast Australia where he competed in the 120kg Class and scooped Gold.
“I was approached in 2019 by FPF (Fiji Powerlifting Federation) and the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) to coach the Fiji powerlifting team to the 2019 Pacific Games held in Samoa – that was my first coaching stint,” Jioje shared.
“This continues until today as I prepare the team for the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands. I guess competing at a high level for 16 years, it’s time for me to give back to the sport of powerlifting in Fiji and to the community.
“Competing at national or international championships and representing my country, Fiji, is a significant honour and this also applies to representing FNU. Wherever I go in the region or internationally, I will always give back to FNU and what the University has done for me.”
Jioje also paid special tribute to his wife, Rosalia Fatiaki, the FNU family and his parents.
He is also the FNU’s Associate Dean TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) and Senior Instructor – Food and Beverage at the College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies (CBHTS).
