Rainibogi Wins Bronze at Games
Fiji weightlifter Taniela Rainibogi bagged a bronze medal for Fiji in the mens 96 kilogrammes final at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham on Monday.
The Naweni lifter lifted 155kg in the snatch and 188kg in the clean, jerk lifting a total of 343 kg.
Rainibogi’s bronze adding to the Fiji sevens sides (men and women) two silver medals has placed Fiji on the 19th position in the Games medal tally.
In first place was Don Opeloge *
of Samoa who lifted 171 kg in the snatch and 210kg in the clean and jerk. This was a Commonwealth Games record.
In second place was Vikas Thakur of India who lifted 155kg in the snatch and 191kg in the clean and jerk to lift a total of 346kg.
“Firstly I want to thank the Lord for giving me the strength and the power to reach this stage,” the 24-year-old Rainibogi said:
“I feel great, happy and excited. The Indian lifter, Thakur was tough, but I was challenging my own self, I have to beat myself first,” he said.
“If I secure my third lift it would put pressure on the other guys but unfortunately it was the last lift.
“Next for me now is the World Championship which is a qualification for the Olympics games. I’m ready for that and return home to training,” Rainibogi added.
Head coach, Henry Elder could not be more proud of Rainibogi’s achievement, whom he had invited to train last year after not lifting for about three years.
“People were expecting bigger things but for us bronze medal is what we have targeted, we knew we were capable and all glory to God, He has been the leader in this journey,” Elder said.
“There are a lot of people to thank, to the Rainibogi family for supporting Dan all the way and our individual families.”
Meanwhile the World Championship will be held in Colombia in November.
About 6500 competitors and officials from 72 nations and territories are participating in the 22nd Commonwealth Games. It is the biggest multi-sport event to be held in the United Kingdom since the 2012 London Olympics.