Fiji’s 16-year-old weightlifting sensation, Nehemiah Elder, has etched his name in history by winning three gold medals at the 2025 IWF World Youth Championships in Lima, Peru, becoming the first-ever Fijian Weightlifter to win gold at any World Championship event.
Competing in the Men’s 89kg Youth Division, Nehemiah dominated the platform winning the Snatch with 152kg, a Clean and Jerk of 180kg, and a Total of 332kg.
This remarkable showing not only secured a clean sweep of the gold medals but also shattered his own personal bests by a combined 15kg, an improvement achieved in just four weeks since his last competition.
At the recent Oceania Junior and Youth Championships in Melbourne, Nehemiah lifted 142kg in the snatch and 175kg in the clean & jerk for a total of 317kg. His performance in Lima raised his snatch by 10kg and clean & jerk by 5kg, underscoring his rapid progression on the international stage.
Nehemiah competed in Group “A” of the combined Youth and Junior Championships. He finished 1st overall out of 12 competitors in the Youth category and achieved a highly creditable equal 10th out of 20 in the Junior division, competing against lifters up to three years his senior.
A two-time Fiji Sports Awards Young Male Athlete of the Year winner, Nehemiah Elder’s breakthrough performance signals a new era for Fiji and Pacific weightlifting on the global platform.
Head Coach Henry Elder credited the historic victory to their unwavering faith, stating: “We give all the glory to our Lord Jesus Christ for the strength, blessings, provision, and protection He has provided. This win is His.”
This milestone moment not only marks a breakthrough for Fiji in international weightlifting, but also reflects the deep foundations of faith, family, and grassroots development that continue to shape the nation’s sporting success.
