4 Weightlifting Fiji coaches successfully obtain International Weightlifting Coaching Licenses

Four Weightlifting Fiji coaches - Henry Elder, Eremasi Qalibau, Timothy Vakuruivalu and Della Shaw Elder – have successfully obtained their International Weightlifting Coaching Licenses, a newly established mandatory requirement for coaching at international events.

Without this certification, coaches are ineligible to participate in global weightlifting competitions.

While recognising this achievement by these individuals, Weightlifting Fiji says this milestone ensures that Weightlifting Fiji remains compliant with international coaching standards, as every federation must now have a coaching accreditation program within their country or align with the International Weightlifting Coaches Accreditation Certification Program.

They say the organisation has met this requirement through the leadership of its President, Della Shaw Elder, an accredited IWF Coaching Lecturer, who has conducted both IWF Club Coach and International Coach Certification Programs.

They add this achievement marks a significant step forward for Weightlifting Fiji, reinforcing its commitment to high coaching standards and international recognition.

Eremasi Qalibau, who is the Vice President of Weightlifting Fiji and coach, played a pivotal role in expanding weightlifting to Levuka, coaching the first generation of lifters from the Weightlifting Strong house.

Henry Elder, the National head coach, was introduced to weightlifting in 1997 by the legendary Paul Coffa during Coffa’s visits to establish the first Oceania Weightlifting Institute in Sigatoka.

He coached at the Suva Club until 2004 when he received his first international assignment as an Assistant Coach/Manager at the Oceania Championships.

Suva Weightlifting Coach & Youth & Junior Development Coach Timothy Vakuruivalu attained both his IWF Club and International Coaching Certifications in New Zealand while studying there and has coached extensively in Auckland for 3and a half years, continuing to contribute to Fijian weightlifting whenever he returns for international assignments or holidays.

President of Weightlifting Fiji Della Shaw Elder has been involved in weightlifting since 1994, serving as a coach, manager, general secretary, and president over the past 30 years.

Her vast expertise has led to prominent roles in the sport, including positions on the IWF Coaching & Research Committee, the Oceania Weightlifting Federation as Vice President, and the Commonwealth Weightlifting Executive Committee.

The licenses obtained by these coaches are valid for a four-year term and ensure that Weightlifting Fiji remains at the forefront of coaching excellence in the region.

Weightlifting Fiji says these newly accredited coaches will now be eligible to participate in major international events, including the Oceania Weightlifting Youth & Junior Championships, the IWF World Youth & Junior Championships, the Pacific Mini Games, the Commonwealth Championships, the IWF World Championships, and the Pacific Cup and Qatar Cup.