Time Management Works For Salacieli

Time management and the influence of friends is what Salacieli Tamanitadruku credits for his journey as a powerlifter all the way to his first Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

The 23-year-old from Udu Point, Macuata said joining the sport of powerlifting was something totally new from what he was used to.

"Like many young boys in Fiji, the dream has always been to play rugby and hopefully get an opportunity to play the sport overseas, but I had plans which included completing my studies first, he shared.

Salacieli said joining the sport of powerlifting came as a pleasant surprise for him.

"My friends took me down to The University of the South Pacific Fitness Centre one day to try powerlifting, and from then on, I was hooked," he said.

"I've never looked back after that because the sport taught me some great values, which also include discipline and how to stay focused on my goals,” he added.

Salacieli is a recent graduate of International Business Marketing and Tourism Management from USP and a former student of Marist Brothers High School.

"Despite my hectic study schedule, I also had to find the time to train and compete in powerlifting. So, time management was a huge thing for me, and ensuring I had a balanced life meant I had to make some sacrifices," he said.

"I'm grateful for my time in Marist, which taught me how to make sacrifices to better myself as a person and an athlete."

Salacieli said he did not have time for a social life because he was focused on his studies and training.

"Now that I've completed my studies, I've decided to take this time to focus on powerlifting and winning a medal for Fiji," he said.

Powerlifting will be held on the first week of the Pacific Games from the 23rd to 25th of November 2023, at the Maranatha Conference Centre in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Powerlifting sport is a strength sport that consists of three attempts at maximal weight on three lifts: squat, bench press, and deadlift. It has been contested in the Pacific Games since 1995 and has been staged 6 times up to the present 2023 Games.

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