FIJI’S women powerlifters are making their presence felt on home soil, with a significant rise in female representation highlighted by their medal-winning performances at the 2026 Oceania Regional Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships at the FMF Gymnasium in Suva yesterday.
The growth has been remarkable, with Fiji increasing its female representation from just two lifters at last year’s competition to 12 this year, underlining the growing interest in the sport among women.
The second day of competition placed the spotlight on the women, with 32 lifters from 11 participating countries contesting the bench press across all weight classes. Fiji’s female contingent celebrated a six-medal haul, collecting three gold and three silver medals on home soil.
Meet director Neha Ali said the championship marked a special occasion for the Fiji Powerlifting Federation, which had brought its biggest female squad to an international competition.
“We have our biggest team and our biggest female squad in any international competition, and our women have won gold, silver on home soil,” Ali said.
Among those who stood out was Sainimili Turner, affectionately known as the “Iron Lady of Fiji” in the powerlifting community. The oldest competitor in the Fiji team, Turner claimed gold in the Masters 4 women’s 84kg-plus category, adding another highlight to Fiji’s impressive showing.
The experienced lifter also secured a medal in the women’s bench press yesterday and is expected to compete again later in the week in the three-lift powerlifting event, where she will have another opportunity to add to Fiji’s medal tally.
Ali said the federation hoped the performances would encourage more women to take up the sport and follow in the footsteps of those competing at the regional championship.
“We’re hoping that we get more medals and more women are empowered to join our sport,” she said.
Yesterday’s program also featured 16 men contesting the 53kg, 59kg, 66kg and 74kg powerlifting categories.
Competition continues until Friday, with athletes also preparing to attempt Oceania records.
Ali encouraged the public to attend and support the competitors as the championship enters its remaining days.
“We’ll have athletes who are going to attempt Oceania records as well, so we’re hoping to have people come down and support us,” she said.
