Monday 2nd November 2009
Fiji has won two of the eight prestigious Commonwealth Sports Awards, which were announced last week in the UK. Weightlifter Manueli Tulo won Outstanding Young Achiever and Fiji Karate Federation President Makarita Lenoa won Sports Administrator of the Year.
The other six award winners included Australian swimmer Stephanie Rice and the world’s fastest man, Jamaica’s Usain Bolt, putting Tulo and Lenoa in much esteemed company.
Tulo, now 19, beat South African open water swimmer, Chad Ho, and the reigning Junior Wimbledon Champion, Laura Robson of England to win his award.
Lenoa, also President of the Oceania Karate Federation, beat out Peter King, who was this year made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to sport with British Cycling, and the Secretary General of the Tonga Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee (TASANOC), Takitoa Taumoepeau for her award.
Tulo is Fiji’s reigning Male Athlete of the Year, and has been an outstanding achiever for Fiji over the past 12 months. He emerged from last year’s Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune as the Commonwealth Youth Champion and double record holder in the 56kg category with a snatch lift of 97kgs and overall lifts of 219kgs.
In addition to being the top junior weightlifter, Tulo is currently ranked 11th overall in the Commonwealth in the 56kg division. He trains at the Oceania Weightlifting Centre in New Caledonia under coach Paul Coffa.
Lenoa, who became involved in karate supporting her four sons, won the 2008 FASANOC “Sports Administrator of the Year” award, recognising her outstanding leadership of both the national and regional Karate Federations. She serves both federations purely as a volunteer, and skilfully leads a team of volunteers throughout the region. She also guides the fundraising arm of the Fiji Karate Federation and shares her previous role as National Team Manager.
Her outstanding effort and contribution to the sport of karate in the Pacific region was recognised by the World Karate Federation through her appointment to their Executive Committee in 2008.
Receiving notification of her award at the FASANOC office today, Mrs Lenoa said “this award doesn’t only belong to one person, this is a team effort and it’s nice to be here and share this award with people we have shared the struggle with. Awards are acknowledgements also for the people who have supported you along the way.”
She also noted that it is great award for the Pacific, especially having two out of three finalists in her category from the region “we have so much talent in the region, and so much potential, and it’s nice that we can be recognised, despite the fact we don’t have all the resources.”
“We can’t just think about Fiji, we have to keep abreast of what is happening with karate in the world – we have to be open minded and change and move with the times. All sporting organisations need to think big, be aware of their limitations, and address them by seeking quality outside help and advice.”
FASANOC congratulates both Manueli Tulo and Makarita Lenoa for their outstanding achievements.
Website Editor