Fiji’s new-found weightlifting sensation, Taniela Rainibogi, is powering his way to becoming one of the biggest names in Pacific sports, after becoming the first weightlifter from his country to win a medal in a global competition.
At the 2023 International Weightlifting Federation Grand Prix II in Qatar, in December, Rainibogi won a silver medal in the Snatch, a bronze in the Clean & Jerk and won third place overall in his category.
He was fresh out of winning the overall best male athlete award at the regional SOL23 Pacific Games a few weeks earlier, winning three gold medals in the 109kg category, while being Team Fiji’s flag bearer.
The gentle giant has had to battle through some tough early days in his career to get to where he is today.
“I’ve been through a lot of struggles in my life but it motivates me even more to do my training properly and keep pushing myself to achieve my goals,” says the 26-year-old from Cakaudrove in Vanua Levu.
“In the beginning of my career, I used to walk from Nakasi to Laucala Bay (a distance of 10 kilometres), just to come and train and then walk back home. I was unemployed but I did rely on someone else to help me. I was never late for training because I was determined to make weightlifting my career.”
His hard work is paying off. Rainibogi is the recipient of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Olympic Solidarity Scholarship.
“I’m so grateful to be in this stage of my young career because the IOC has given me a scholarship that has been a big help for me. Now, I don’t have to walk to training. I can buy food to help with my diet and pay my rent. I’m very thankful for that.”
Next up, Taniela Rainibogi is determined to compete in the Oceania Championship and the World Cup to help with his Olympic Games qualifications. “I’m excited to compete in New Zealand and in Thailand.”
He adds: “Sometimes, there are injuries but that does not stop my focus. Every week, we lift weights and the training regimes are not easy. We train two times every day to prepare ourselves for the upcoming competitions.”
Weightlifting is an individual sport, says Rainibogi. “It’s not like rugby or any other team sport. When you don’t perform well in weightlifting, it’s very hard because you only have yourself to blame. You have to be very focused during preparations so you can do well in the competitions.”
Overall, he is happy with his preparations. “I’m thankful to my coach for allowing me to train with the young aspiring weightlifters to help me prepare. They push me to become better and I’m enjoying it.”
He adds: “The struggles I go through are what motivates me to perform well in weightlifting. That is what I think about each time I go out and perform. I also love to inspire our young lifters. They also have their own stories to tell and struggles to overcome. So, I also do this for them and I remind myself of that every day.”
Rainibogi is enjoying training under the masterful tutelage of his coach, Henry Elder.
“My relationship with my coach is very good. Most times we talk and share about what’s happening in our lives. It gives me the confidence to truly share what I’m going through with him. If my body is not fully prepared, I let him know. If there’s any pain in my body, I let him know. Even if there’s something wrong with the exercises we’re doing, I let him know. We share everything. We respect each other and I respect him a lot.”
“Our achievement lately has been really huge,” Elder says of Rainibogi’s accomplishments and preparations. “This year, we are looking at another challenging and fruitful year.”
Elder emphasises that the root of their success lies in a good, consistent work ethic accompanied by a strong religious faith.
“God is our inspiration. We have a team motto, which is God first. It comes from the Bible scripture, Matthew 6:33 – ‘But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’
“God inspires us to move. He inspires us to talk about Him in the successes we have through His leadership and guidance. For it is through Him alone that we have achieved and it is through Him alone that we will continue to succeed and proclaim His greatness and might.”
Elder added: “I get very emotional when I talk about this because I know the dedication and the sacrifice this young man has made and nobody sees it. But we push levels and I’m so excited with the way he has progressed. Taniela has worked really hard to get here.”
The Oceania Championships will be held on February 18 in New Zealand while the World Cup in Thailand is in April.
Rainibogi’s performance at these two tournaments will determine his qualifications for the Paris Olympics this year. Rainibogi needs to make the top 10 weightlifters in the world to qualify.
