Fiji defied all skepticism, and despite not having prior experience in organizing a weightlifting World Championships according to International Weightlifting Federation.

Weightlifting Fiji and the Local Organizing Committee under the leadership of Dr. Robin Mitchell, President of ANOC and ONOC, IOC Member; delivered a Gold Level Olympic qualification event in the most professional manner according, the IWF posted on their website.

“In addition to support from the Government, we cannot thank enough to Weightlifting Fiji and its President, Mr. Atma Maharaj for his devoted service by living up to the challenge of a world event and thus confirming Fiji as a strong weightlifting nation even in a global context’, IWF President Dr Tamas Ajan said.

All the participants, including the athletes, officials, and dignitaries found the event spectacular and highly enjoyable.

Chinese Weightlifting Association President Zhou Jinqiang attributed much of his team’s success to the forethought of the Organizing Committee. “They’ve provided us and all of the teams with very good accommodation and transportation,” he said.

“That’s why we have good results”,he added.

Emphasizing the importance of this championship in the life of Fiji, the President of Fiji, Major-General (Ret’d) Jioji Konusi Konrote attended the event and demonstrated the warmest hospitality to the weightlifting family.

“Fiji is proud to host this important event and the Fijians are doing their best to make everybody feel at home. Never before have so many countries been represented at a sports event in Fiji,”President Konrote said