A heavy lift!
RAINIBOGI LIFTS FOR A BETTER FUTURE
CARRYING the future of Weightlifting Fiji on his shoulders, Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Taniela Rainibogi is playing not only for country but for a better future for his brothers and sisters in the sport.
In an interview with this newspaper, Rainibogi shared his driving factor as he continues to make waves in the international weightlifting arena.
After claiming three gold medals at the 2023 Pacific Games, he went on to create history in Qatar, being the first male from Fiji in 70 years to win a medal at the Grand Prix.
Now he is chasing a place in the Olympic Games this year in France.
“Whenever I go to compete in an international event, I will always keep in mind that we have a lot of young lifters in this sport,” Rainibogi said.
“I know that most of them struggle daily just to come to training, we all have our challenges and our stories, but these kids are determined to make something of themselves in this sport. So, they motivate me to do my best and return with achievements that can get us recognized.
“If I win then maybe the government will recognize that we produce results and maybe offer us the assistance that we need. I don’t want them to just assist me but all the kids in this sport. I want a better future not just for myself but for all these young lifters because they will be ones putting Fiji on the map after me.”
Rainibogi is Weightlifting Fiji’s top bet to make the Paris Olympics and he has two qualifying events to attend.
The first event is the Oceania Championships in Auckland, New Zealand scheduled for February 23-25.
He will be up against Commonwealth Games gold medallist Don Opeloge from Samoa.