8 Lifters for Gold Coast
Weightlifting Fiji has created history after 8 athletes qualified to the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia. The eight qualified athletes are made up of five females and three males. They are; Seruwaia Malani (48kg), Arieta Mudunavoce (53kg), Maria Mareta (58kg), Apolonia Vaivai (69kg), Eileen Cikamatana (90kg); Manueli Tulo (56kg), Poama Qaqa (62kg), Taniela Rainibogi (85kg). Weightlifting Fiji president Atma Maharaj said Vaivai and Cikamatana are the number one ranked athletes in their respective weight categories as per the latest Commonwealth Games rankings.
“They both qualified directly to the Commonwealth Games after winning their respective weight categories at the Commonwealth Championships in September 2017 in Australia,” he said.
Maharaj said the other six athletes have qualified by competing in accredited competitions by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and their performances are ranked with the top 15 qualify.
He also announced that while the athletes have qualified based upon the Commonwealth Games ranking lists, they will still be required to achieve minimum levels of performances in the lead-up national and international competitions and a series of trials in January and February.
“Weightlifting Fiji is finalising its selection criteria and expects to inform the athletes over the next week.
“Athletes who do not meet the meet these minimum benchmarks will not travel to the Games.
“Weightlifting Fiji is looking to a good finish having had solid performances at the various international competitions including Commonwealth Championships in Gold Coast, Asian Indoor Games in Turkmenistan, World Championships in Anaheim in USA and the Pacific Mini Games, Vanuatu.
“Weightlifting Fiji is thankful to the Government, Fiji National Sports Commission, FASANOC, sponsors, media and the general public for their support,” he added.
Weightlifting Fiji life-member Christopher Yee sees sensational weightlifter Eileen Cikamatana as an athlete capable of achieving anything she sets her sights on.
“Put it this way, she is young, has a long way to go and has not even reached her full potential yet so with her anything is possible,” Yee told SUNsports on Saturday.