Fiji’s rising weightlifting stars Mereia Turaganivalu and Ioane Claude have departed for Cali to represent the country at the 2026 International Weightlifting Federation Youth World Championships.
The global event will be held from July 5-11, with the pair set to compete against some of the best young lifters in the world.
Turaganivalu, 16, of Namuka in Macuata, will compete in the women’s 63kg division, while 14-year-old Claude from Rabi Island will contest the men’s 94kg category.
Both earned selection after impressive performances at the recent Oceania and Commonwealth Youth Championships.
Turaganivalu, daughter of former Olympian Ivy Shaw, won silver at the Oceania Youth Championships and bronze at the Commonwealth Youth Championships, while also being crowned Young Female Athlete of the Year at last year’s Fiji Sports Awards.
Claude heads into the tournament full of confidence after winning gold at both the Oceania and Commonwealth Youth Championships.
The duo currently sit inside the International Weightlifting Federation’s top 12 youth world rankings.
National head coach Henry Elder said the team was ready for the challenge.
“We’ve prepared well and both athletes have shown they belong at this level. The goal now is to stay focused, trust the work they’ve put in and deliver on the platform. If they can hit their lifts, I believe they can improve their rankings
