Weightlifters’ battle

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Team Fiji weightlifters after a training session in Suva. Picture: SUPPLIED

Young and upcoming Fijian weightlifters face regional counterparts this weekend in the inaugural Oceania Weightlifting Online Junior and Youth Championship.

Team Fiji weightlifters will face counterparts from Australia, Papua New Guinea, Guam, Solomon Islands, New Zealand, Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga, New Caledonia, Tahiti, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

“We have a strong team of upcoming boys and girls,” WF coach Henry Elder Jr said.

“The Oceania championship had been held before, but this is the first online competition for only junior and youth weightlifters. This is a good test for our reps heading into the Mini Pacific Games, the Commonwealth Games and the 2024 Olympic Games.”

Elder Jr and his team members had been hitting the gym in the past months preparing for the competition.

“We have Ateca Margaret Vira, who is competing in the 65 kilogram, Aluwesi Aditaroleva, a top medal prospect in the 59kg and a first time lifter from Levuka, junior lifter and our super heavyweight rep Helen Seipua, who is lifting in the 87-plus category and who also going to the Commonwealth Games, Sebiuta Talemaiwasa, who is from Cakaudrove, but started in the sport in Levuka. She is a Gospel High School student and will compete in the women’s junior category. She is part of the Pacific Mini Games to Saipan. Another top prospect in the women’s team is Miriama Taletawa, the daughter of former national athletics rep Vani Senokonoko.

“The boys’ team include our emerging star Eroni Talemaigau, who is 15, from Ra, and a Year 11 student of Gospel High School. He will compete in the 55kg division. Other reps include Solomoni Lili Vira and Apakuki Tabuwaiwai, a former rugby league player from Naitasiri, who will compete in the 61kg.”

Fiji team: Women: Ateca Margaret Vira, Aluwesi Aditaroleva, Marian Elizabeth, Ema Alowesi Vira, Paulini Bamasi, Chrystalle Elizabeth Kai, Mere Tokalau, Miriama Waruvono Taletawa, Talemaisawa Sebiuta, Leyna-May Theresa Rounds Domonatani, Helen Anastasia Seipua.

Men: Eroni Caucau, Vugatu Talemaigau, Apakuki Wakanibula Tabuiawaiwai, Daniel Zachariah Anthony Shaw, Jamal Simione Maue Au-Yeung, Tauriwau Maciu Valentine.

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