Taina Basiyalo 
Taniela Rainibogi. [File Photo]
Weightlifting Fiji coach Henry Elder has hailed the national team’s campaign at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship in India as one of their best performances this year, with Taniela Rainibogi emerging as the standout.
Rainibogi’s gold medal not only underlined his dominance on the platform but also secured Fiji’s first direct qualification to next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
Elder says the performance reflects the hard work put in by the lifters across seven international events this season.
While Rainibogi’s ticket to Glasgow is confirmed, Elder believes the door is still wide open for others.
“This has been one of our great performances; we have had four athletes who were in the A group, which is the top 13 in the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth Games, to qualify upright, you have to be in the top eight, but this has to be maintained up until the final qualification in May next year.”
Several athletes have already impressed and remain in the hunt for qualification, with the final chance coming at the May qualifiers.
Their task now is to maintain a top-eight ranking to stay in contention.
Despite only returning home yesterday from India, the squad will have little time to celebrate.
Elder confirmed the lifters will be back in training within days, as the pursuit of additional Commonwealth Games spots intensifies.
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