THE 2026 Commonwealth Games Team Fiji Chef de Mission Ajay Ballu believes the nation’s young squad has laid a strong foundation for future international success despite finishing 20th on the medal standings at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Ballu said the team exceeded expectations by winning a gold and a bronze medal against more experienced opposition that included Olympians and former Commonwealth champions.
“I think we did really well, considering we took a very young team,” Ballu said. “Competing against athletes with Olympic and Commonwealth experience has given our athletes an understanding of the level they need to reach. They know where they have to be now.”
He praised the weightlifting team’s record-breaking performances by gold medalist Taniela Rainibogi, saying the national and Commonwealth records achieved in Glasgow highlighted the depth of young talent emerging in the sport.
Ballu also commended Fiji’s lone female boxer for her impressive campaign, saying she had the potential to reach the gold medal bout, and her performance reflected the progress boxing has made through its growing youth development programme.
While pleased with the results, Ballu admitted the biggest challenge in Glasgow was adapting to the cold weather, along with transport arrangements that required athletes and officials to walk considerable distances between venues.
Despite the long journey to Scotland, Ballu said arriving two days early allowed the team sufficient time to acclimatise before competition. With the Commonwealth Games now over, Ballu said Team Fiji’s focus immediately shifts to next year’s Pacific Games in Tahiti, which will also serve as an important stepping stone towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. He challenged athletes to remain committed after a short break, revealing Fiji’s ambitious goal is to finish third at the Tahiti Pacific Games before targeting first place at the 2031 Pacific Games in Tonga.
Ballu also thanked Fijians for their unwavering support throughout the Games.
“We were blessed with messages of goodwill, prayers and encouragement from back home. We thank everyone in Fiji for standing behind Team Fiji.”
