\n<\/p>\n
Powerlifting Championship (ORPC) to gain exposure and experience ahead of next year\u2019s Pacific Games in Tahiti.<\/span><\/p>\n This was the view of Fiji Powerlifting Federation (FPF) president Ryan Bale in an interview with <\/span>SUNsports <\/span><\/em>yesterday.<\/span><\/p>\n The ORPC began at the FMF Gymnasium in Suva yesterday and will conclude on Friday. Lifters from Fiji will compete against athletes from 10 other countries across the major categories.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe all know the challenges that we go through here in the sport, and it\u2019s always been encouraging for me to see the pas-sion that all our lifters bring to the platform every time they compete,\u201d Bale said.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI would encourage them to carry that momentum for-ward.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Bale said the federation would continue supporting its lifters despite the daily challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re always behind them and trying our best to get them prepared and give them these core memories into the future.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n He said strong support from family and friends was vital to the lifters.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt just drives the interest and membership in our sport and helps us to share this sport that we love so much.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Bale said it had been 20 years since Fiji last hosted the ORPC.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s an annual championship that happens every year and it\u2019s been hosted from one Oceania country to another.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve had a good turnout; this is the largest Fiji contingent so far.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Bale confirmed that powerlifting legend and \u201cIron Lady\u201d Senimili Turner would compete in the masters category.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re very happy to have her, and now the new lifters are made up of sub-junior and junior lifters compared to the open lifters.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe future is bright for Fiji powerlifting.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Bale said the lack of training facilities and funding were among the major challenges facing the federation.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOur key challenge is just finding volunteers, and the accessibility of powerlifting gym facilities in the country holds us back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like to add the traditional obstacle of getting funding.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n He acknowledged the Fiji National Sports Commission for providing the federation\u2019s largest grant to host the ORPC.<\/span><\/p>\n Bale urged the Fijian community to attend the event.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re not familiar with powerlifting, you\u2019re more than welcome to get your first taste of the energy and passion in the room, not just from our Fiji team but from other countries as well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n