Our Flagbearer
Our flag bearer at today’s Pacific Mini Games opening ceremony Eileen Cikamatana has joined Team Fiji in Port Vila, Vanuatu. The young weightlifting star attended the church service at the Chiefs Makamal in Port Vila yesterday indicating that she’s going to take things as they come.
“Whatever comes I will be ready to tackle it,” Cikamatana said. “I will be aiming to achieve any targets that have been set for me but basically it’s just keeping things simple.”
She is pictured here with Team Fiji general manager Chris Yee. Photo and words: Peni Komaisavai
Team Fiji flag bearer at today’s Pacific Mini Games opening ceremony has joined them in Port Vila, Vanuatu yesterday. Sensational women weightlifter and gold medal prospect Eileen Cikamatana flew in from Noumea in New Caledonia to join the Team Fiji contingent.
Speaking to SUNsports, Cikamatana who is the world’s number one ranked junior weightlifter (90kg) said she will be keeping it simple at this year’s Games. “Whatever comes I will be ready to tackle it,” she said.
“I will be aiming to achieve any targets that have been set for me but basically it’s just keeping it simple.”
The 18-year-old will be competing in the 90 kilogramme category and she says, “If it means just winning medals then I’m content with that and if there is any opportunity to break records then I will go for it.” Cikamatana said she’s ready and would do her best to her country proud.
She said what motivates her to go for success is the support and prayers of her parents Sevanaia and Makitalena Cikamatana. The fixtures for the Pacific Mini Games weightlifting competition is going to released sometime today.
ACHIEVEMENTS
She won Gold in Turkmenistan when she lifted a total of 253kg and set Commonwealth and Oceania records with her 111kg snatch and 142kg Clean and Jerk. Cikamatana is the current Commonwealth and Oceania Senior and Junior Champion and she currently holds a total of 12 Commonwealth and Oceania records across the snatch, Clean and Jerk and Total lifts in the 90Kg weight category. She also won gold at the Commonwealth Championship and in doing so has qualified directly to the Commonwealth Games next year. Cikamatana won the gold medal in the Clean and Jerk and a bronze in the 2016 IWF Youth World Championships. She went on to win two silver medals and a bronze medal at the 2017 IWF Junior World Championships, in Japan, in only her first year as a junior. She won the best female junior lifter in both the Commonwealth and Oceania Junior competitions. Cikamatana also scooped the Best Female Lifter at the Australian International Championships 2017 and also at the Pacific Cup International 2017.