THE support of family has meant everything to Team Fiji weightlifter Eileen Cikamatana as she pursues gold at this year’s Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea.
The 15-year-old Taviya, Ovalau lass said when she first took up the sport, her parents were happy and encouraged her to participate.
“At first a teacher at my school asked if I wanted to do weightlifting and I ran home and asked my parents,” she said.
“That same afternoon I started training.”
Her mentor in the sport also happens to be a senior member of Team Fiji weightlifting, Master Peni Tawai.
Eileen was still in class eight when she took up the sport and in her first year managed to win a silver medal at her first competition, which was the Oceania Weightlifting Competition.
“Since then I have taken part in several competitions and won some medals and this sport has taken me to places I never thought I would go to,” she said.
Eileen will be participating in the 63kg weight category and is currently doing a 78 kg snatch and 100 kg clean and jerk.
“But I am confident I can do better, especially with the coaching I get from Joe Vueti and Della Shaw,” she said.
Eileen said she would continue to work hard to lift more and more before the Pacific Games and hopefully get a medal.
“It would be great to go back home with a medal and make my parents proud of their decision to allow me to take up the sport,” she said.
* Pacific Games coverage courtesy of BSP
