Eileen’s Golden Lift
Ovalau lass wins our first Asian Games gold medal, sets 12 records
Sensational Fijian weightlifter Eileen Cikamatana dedicated her gold medal win in the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to her parents. Cikamatana won gold in the women’s 90kg Group A competition. The 18-year-old had a snatch of 111kg and a clean and jerk of 142kg which gave her a total of 253kg setting 12 new records, three in the Commonwealth Senior Championships, Commonwealth Junior Championships, Oceania Senior Championships and the Oceania Junior Championships respectively.
The constant motivation for Cikamatana, each time she competes at an event are the two most important people in her life, her parents.
“My mum and dad have been the ones who have motivated me every day and have always given me words of encouragement,” she said.
“They’ve been there for me from the start and have not been able to attend any of the competitions that I compete in.
“So every time I go up on that stage they are the only two people who are in my mind and they’re the ones that I want to make proud because everything that I do, I do it for them.
“I really want them to come and see me perform which is why I’m aiming to bring them to the Commonwealth Games next year, I would give anything to see them sitting in the stand watching me.
“Currently, I feel like I’m on top of the world and I’m so proud and happy for what I have achieved thanks to Paul Coffa and his wife Lily and Joe Vueti as they have looked after me.
“I truly would not be here today if it wasn’t for them and their constant support, encouragement and for always believing in me.” Cikamatana said going into the competition she did not expect to break records given the tough competition but she was ready for whatever would happens. “This win and getting a gold for Fiji means a lot to me, when I came into the competition I only focused on whatever my coach would tell me,” she said.
“I stayed focused and I was ready for whatever was going to be thrown at me and the support from the crowd, from all Team Fiji supporters, that was the icing on the cake for me.” Cikamatana’s attention will now be on the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia where she said she is not only eyeing a medal but to break more records.
Currently, I feel like I’m on top of the world and I’m so proud and happy for what I have achieved thanks to Paul Coffa and his wife Lily and Joe Vueti as they have looked after me. I truly would not be here today if wasn’t for them and their constant support, encouragement and for always believing in me. Eileen Cikamatana Weightlifter