POWERLIFING Fiji’s top male Athlete Salacieli Koroi is fired up and raring to go for the upcoming Oceania Regional Championship in Christchurch New Zealand.
The Nusuka villager form Udu point Macuata burst to the sporting limelight at the age of 21- winning Silver in the Men’s Raw Open 105Kg category at the 2023 South Pacific Games.
His rise in the sport has seen him set several national records for the 105kg category, establishing himself as one of powerlifting Fiji’s top male athletes.
Last year Koroi did not compete at the championship as he was tasked to guide the national team as coach and handler to the 2024 regional championship.
This year he is excited to make his return and is eying to bag a few medals at the competition.
“In this sport you can win medals in each lift, so winning in all lifts is the goal. So, I’ll just give it my best and let my hard work get displayed on the platform”, he said.
Confidence will be essential if one is to compete on the international level, especially against international opponents.
“These international competitions require a lot of confidence, especially when you compete with other world champions from around the globe” Koroi explained.
Competition will be intense this year as many international ranking athletes are set to compete for regional honours.
Koroi says their only problem is funding- the trip will be a self funded trip meaning the sporting body and the athletes will fund the trip on their own.
Koroi currently holds the two national records in the 105kg category, deadlift 320Kg and total-lift 730kg.
The Oceania Regional Championship will be held on November 17-21 in Christchurch, New Zealand.
