Powerlifting Fiji’s lone female athlete, Susana Qionibaravi to the upcoming Oceania Regional Championship is calling on more women to take up the sport.
The mother of two took up the sport over nine months ago and is set to make her international debut.
“I’d really like to call on more girls and women, especially mothers,” she said.
“I’m 36 years old, I’ve just come into the sport, and this is how far I’ve come in nine months.”
The Nasau, Lomaiviti native’s journey in the sport has been an inspirational one.
Leaping into the unknown, she discovered a passion that has brought her a new lease of life.
Susana hopes more women and girls will give the sport a try, encouraging them to reach out if they think it is a sport they would want to take up.
“I’d like them to step into the unknown, you will never know until you try, I want to see more women doing more strength sports like this, and if this is for you, come out and reach out to the sport and we will be happy to help you” she said.
With the 2026 Oceania Regional Championship to be hosted in Fiji next year, she hopes her participation this year will inspire more women to take up the sport and also represent Fiji with her at the 2026 championships.
“If anything, I’m encouraging more women to come to the sport, because I’d really love to see other women participating not just locally but internationally too.
Next year we will be hosting this regional championship in Fiji and I’m so optimistic there will be other girls wearing the national colours,” she said.
Qionibaravi will represent Fiji in the +84kg Women’s Open Category.
