Powerlifting reflects a successful year in 2023, celebrating significant achievements and positive developments.
President Viliame Lagonilakeba commended the increasing participation of young athletes and women in the sport, expressing enthusiasm about the growing number of females joining local competitions.
“This year, 2023, has been phenomenal. Our local competitions saw more participants, and we’re thrilled about the growing number of women joining in.
“We had a remarkable moment when a self-supported athlete competed in Hong Kong’s Asia Pacific Championships, clinching bronze in squat and deadlift.
“Not to mention our two silver medals in the Pacific Games, a step up from our performance in 2019,” Lagonilakeba said.
Despite the success, the sport faced challenges, with Lagonilakeba highlighting two significant hurdles.
Firstly, athletes lacked access to proper training resources, especially specialised equipment for international competitions, making it challenging for them to adjust.
Secondly, financial constraints hindered their ability to expose athletes to international competitions, placing them at a disadvantage compared to other nations.
Lagonilakeba points to the example of Nauru, a small island nation that has invested substantially in training resources and achieved success in international competitions.
He calls for similar support from the Government, not only for powerlifting but for all minor sports.
“We’re facing two significant hurdles. Firstly, our athletes lack access to proper training resources, especially the specialised equipment used in international competitions. It’s tough for them to adjust when they are exposed to international competitions.
“Secondly, financial constraints have kept us from exposing our athletes to international competitions. This puts us at a disadvantage in terms of getting the full growth and performance out of athletes compared to other nations.
“Small island nations like Nauru have invested substantially in these things and have been a powerhouse in competitions like the Pacific Games and Oceania Competitions scooping majority medals in all the categories. They moved to ninth position in the Pacific Games mainly because of powerlifting, Fiji was sixth,” he added.
“If they can do it, I don’t see why we shouldn’t be getting the same support from government and I share this testament not only for powerlifting but for all other minor sports out there,” Lagonilakeba explained.
This sport has a proud history of bringing home numerous medals for Fiji.
Their current aim is to reach those heights again but with a strong emphasis on good core values and fostering a supportive and positive culture within the sport.
“Looking ahead to 2024, we’ve got plans brewing. Short and long-term strategies are in the works to tackle our challenges head-on. We will be also focusing on training referees and coaches to international standards. Building a solid administration team and team of experts is key to our sport’s future.”
The sport has also set their focus on the Oceania Regional Powerlifting Championships.
“We are now aiming to send a team to the Oceania Regional Powerlifting Championships that’s been proposed to be held in New Caledonia.
“We will be reaching out to various entities to support this endeavour and setting a timetable for local competitions in 2024 building up towards this and basically creating more general awareness of the Sport in Fiji.
“All these things will be penned down in finer detail after our 2024 AGM that will be held early next year, details on this will be released by the Federation in due course.”
The future holds so much promise for powerlifting in Fiji. With the right backing they are certain to do wonders for our country.
“It’s an exciting journey ahead, and we’re ready to take on the challenge.”
