WHILE rugby continues to dominate Fiji’s sporting landscape, the rise of young powerlifters such as Aiyaz Ali is highlighting the potential of other sporting disciplines to attract and develop the country’s next generation of athletes.
At just 22 years old, Ali has already established himself as one of Fiji’s strongest young lifters, making remarkable progress in only two years of competitive powerlifting.
His journey highlights the opportunities available to young Fijians willing to explore sports beyond traditional pathways, with powerlifting providing another platform to develop their abilities and represent the country.
The 120kg-plus lifter is currently competing at the 2026 Oceania Regional Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships at the FMF Gymnasium, where he has set his sights on another major milestone.
Ali is targeting an improvement on his personal total record, with the 900kg barrier firmly in his sights.
“This competition I’m just trying to break my total record and hopefully I can break the 900kg barrier that I’ve been working towards,” he said.
His ambitions are backed by impressive performances on the national platform.
At this year’s Turners Cup, Ali recorded a 365kg squat, the highest recorded in Fiji, alongside a 196kg bench press and a 329kg deadlift.
He also holds the Fiji national squat record of 361kg and will turn his attention to the 340kg Oceania squat record today as he looks to make another breakthrough on the platform.
Having graduated this year, Ali believes the work and commitment invested in his development over the past two years have helped bring him to this stage.
He also acknowledged the important role his teammates have played in his progress, describing their support as a major part of his journey.
“Oh, the team I have, I think I have the best team ever. I’m really grateful for every single one in my team and I’m really grateful that they’ve helped me come this far in ways that I could never have imagined,” he said.
Ali’s progress also demonstrates what can be achieved when young athletes are given opportunities to explore different sporting disciplines.
