Fiji win two out of the 8 Commonwealth awards November 03, 2009
Junior weightlifter Manueli Tulo and Fiji Karate Federation president Makarita Lenoa were recognized for their contribution to sport after winning an award from the prestigious Commonwealth Sports Awards in the United Kingdom last week.
Fiji picked up two out of the eight awards in which Tulo was announced the Outstanding Young Achiever ahead of South African open water swimmer, Chad Ho and the England’s reining Junior Wimbledon Champ Laura Robson.
Lenoa was awarded the Sports Administrator of the Year ahead of Peter King who was this year made a Commonwealth of the British Empire (CBE) for his service to sport with British Cycling and the Secretary General of the Tonga Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (TASANOC), Takitoa Taumoepeau.
According to a press statement released by the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee, Tulo has been recognized locally as an outstanding achiever for Fiji over the past 12 months.
“He emerged from last year’s Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune as the Commonwealth Youth Champion and double record holder in the 56kg category with a snatch lift of 97kg and overall lift of 219kg,” as mentioned in the press statement.
In addition to being the top junior weightlifter, Tulo us currently ranked 11th overall in the Commonwealth in the 56kg division and is training at the Oceania Weightlifting Centre in New Caledonia under the guidance of Paul Coffa.
While Lenoa became involved in Karate after supporting her four sons, she won the 2008 FASANOC Sports Administrator of the Year award recognising her outstanding leadership in both national and regional Karate Federations.
Upon receiving her notification if her award yesterday, Lenoa said
“This award doesn’t only belong to one person, this is a team effort and it’s nice to be here and to share this award with the people we have struggled with. Awards are acknowledgements also for the people who have supported you along the way.”
She also noted that it is great award for the Pacific, especially having two out of three finalists in her category from the region “we have so much talent in the region, and so much potential, and it’s nice that we can be recognised, despite the fact we don’t have all the resources.”
“We can’t just think about Fiji, we have to keep abreast of what is happening with karate in the world – we have to be open minded and change and move with the times. All sporting organisation need to think big, be aware of their limitations, and address them by seeking quality outside help and advice.”
Meanwhile, the other six award winners included Australian swimmer Stephanie Rice and the world’s fastest man, Jamaica’s Usain Bolt, putting Tulo and Lenoa in much esteemed company.
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