Glasgow Commonwealth Games: Former Fiji weightlifter wins gold in Australian colours
Eileen Cikamatana has won her third weightlifting gold medal.
A former Fiji weightlifter, Eileen Cikamatana, secured her third gold medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, donning Australian colors. Cikamatana previously won gold for Fiji in 2018 before defecting to Australia due to a dispute with Weightlifting Fiji. She had earlier won gold for Australia in the 87kg category at the 2018 Birmingham Games, breaking the Games record with a total lift of 255kg.
On Thursday, Cikamatana claimed her third Commonwealth gold with a Games record total of 248kg in the 86kg category, surpassing England's Madias Ngake who finished second with a total of 239kg. Canada's Rose Beaudoin claimed the bronze with a lift of 230kg. Samoa's Sefulu Seuao finished sixth with a lift of 219kg. Cikamatana's Olympic debut ended in disappointment in Paris 2021 when she finished fourth, missing out on a medal.
However, she called her Glasgow victory a mission accomplished, expressing relief at continuing her journey despite challenging days. Cikamatana, now coached by Paul Coffa, became the first woman to win Commonwealth Games gold for two countries in an individual sport. She also aims to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
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