Youths urged to take up weightlifting
The ‘Give Weightlifting A Go’ programme set for today is still going ahead at the National Fitness Centre.
This was confirmed yesterday by Weightlifting Fiji general secretary Ritesh Ratiram who indicated that is going to start at 9am.
“WF is looking for the next generation of lifters and to also develop depth in the sport,” he said.
“This is an exciting time for the sport as we’ve won medals at the Commonwealth and world level and have secured the services of a world-class coach and the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games gold medallist, to help develop new talent to their full potential.” Ratiram said they are looking for new lifters between the ages of 16 to 19 to prepare for the 2019 IWF Junior World Championships, which Fiji will host in Suva, in June 2019.
“We’re calling out to school children, rugby players and anyone interested to seriously take up weightlifting to come to the National Fitness Centre, adjacent to ANZ Stadium in Suva this Saturday.” He confirmed that seven new potential athletes turned up to the first ‘Give Weightlifting A Go’ programme on May 19.
“The new athletes worked with coaches Della and Henry Elder and with existing athletes as they were taken through the basics of weightlifting before they tried the snatch and clean & jerk lifts with actual weights.” Ratiram said Henry was very impressed by Sunia Tunaka, a 21-year old from Cakaudrove.
“Sunia weighs 70kg and is already doing a 70kg push press within a day of starting which is very remarkable. Sunia has great natural skill, speed, power and strength. I can only imagine how much more he’ll do with proper training and guidance,” Henry said.
Another participant 17-year-old Merelesita Vugakoto, of Ratu Navula High School student travelled all the way from Nadi to participate in the programme.
“Please bring your sports gear and your good pair of canvas for the programme,” Ratiram added.