Fiji Weightlifting is targeting a stronger presence on the international stage especially the Olympics, with Head Coach Henry Elder stressing the need for greater financial support to help the country’s lifters compete with the world’s best.

Elder says Commonwealth gold medalist Taniela Rainibogi’s current best total of 380 kilograms leaves him chasing the leading international competitors, who are lifting more than 420 kilograms.

He believes consistent training, quality coaching and improved athlete support will be crucial in closing the gap and improving Fiji’s standing in the sport.

“Financial support is something that we really, really need. If you want to achieve big, you have to have big support.
If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys. The same thing applies to sport and any other area. If you want athletes to perform at the highest level, they have to have the highest level support also, financially.”

With the right investment and preparation, Elder is optimistic that Rainibogi can make significant progress and potentially break into the world’s top five.

“Taniela’s current best is 380. So, his ranking right now would be a lot less than what we had thought of. So, last year, he was ranked number 15. This year, he’d probably be below 20 in the world. That’s how difficult this competition is.”

“But we’re very optimistic of our chances of pushing it up so that he can qualify. With consistency and the hard work that he has, that work ethic, I believe that there is a possibility of us getting to the top five. But it takes a lot of hard work and consistency and support.”