Weightlifters grab second medal in Pune October 16, 2008
Weightlifting Fiji grabbed its second medal at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune, India after Maria Liku won a silver medal in her first international weightlifting debut.
Fiji has two medals after Liku lifted a total weight of 154 kilograms, 70kg in the snatch and 84 kg in the clean and jerk.
Manueli Tulo created history when he won Fiji’s first ever gold medal at the Games on Tuesday.
While the weightlifters have the done the nation proud, the same cannot be said for Fiji athletes who all failed to qualify for the finals.
Isoa Me, Paulini Korowaqa, Seleima Rokoduguni, Banuve Tabaukaucoro, Eroni Cagi, Cyril Savou recorded impressive times in their individual heats but failed to maintain their form in the semifinals.
Wainibuka lass and Fiji and Pacific Games long distance champion Akesa Drotini finished at the tail end of her race with a time of 5 minutes 20.34 seconds.
Meanwhile, in boxing, Fiji boxers Mohammed Shaheem and Ritesh Lal were also beaten in their respective bouts.
Lal featuring in the lightweight 60 kilogram category was outclassed by Australia’s Jai Alexander by 10 points to nil while Shameem lost to Nigeria’s Bakare Kolawole 23-3.
Team Fiji officials are expecting its contingent to win more medals before the Games officially close next week in India.