Mokani, Tailevu, native Della Shaw- Elder has been appointed by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) to be a referee during the weightlifting competition at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, on April 4-15.
“I’m overwhelmed with the announcement and thanks to the executives that worked hard in lodging my application and supporting me right through,” Shaw told SUNsports yesterday.
This will be Elder’s first Commonwealth Games.
“I’m looking forward to this, I received the news last month and I’m thankful for the executives for lodging my application last year.”
Elder who has maternal links to Dakuni in Beqa was the youngest official at the 2017 Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games.
“I was among all those senior officials it was a great opportunity to learn from these senior officials and I want to thank International Weightlifting Federation executives for trusting me.
“I will not only be flying Weightlifting Fiji’s flag but also Fiji’s flag and I will do my country proud.”
With Weightlifting Fiji being one of the sport being eyed as potential medal prospect apart from sevens rugby, Elder says, it will be a challenge for her to be referee when it comes to one of Fiji’s lifters lift.
“Team Fiji is preparing really well, we are very positive that these lifters will do well and it’s always a challenge when you are refereeing Fijian athletes.
“In terms of fairness, they see you as you are , I have ref these lifters as centre referee, in many occasions like in the Mini Games in Vanuatu. I ref Apolonia Vaivai, Eileen Cikamatana and Manueli Tulo and I’m always excited,” she said.
Della is the only Female Category One technical official in the Pacific region, in weightlifting.
She started her career as a track sprinter when she was ‘loaned’ to the weightlifting team for the 1995 South Pacific Games in Tahiti. She won a weightlifting gold medal and again in 1996 at the Oceania championship. She hasn’t looked back since then.
Edited by Leone Cabenatabua
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