Four years after claiming the Commonwealth Games gold for Fiji, weightlifter Eileen Cikamatana is asking for the chance to repeat the feat for Australia.
Cikamatana triumphed 90 kg for women on the Gold Coast as an 18-year-old, then moved on to compete for Australia, and became a citizen in 2019 over an excellent talent visa.
Not eligible to compete in green and gold at the Tokyo Olympics after her transfer, she set her sights on making her mark at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, starting July 28.
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“I’m happy to wear the green and gold for these Commonwealth Games, it’s a dream come true,” said Cikamatana.
“It’s a great opportunity. To get this opportunity to represent another country, and especially Australia, where you are respected for what you do, it’s a dream come true.
“No words can describe the feeling of it.
“That’s the good thing about it, because you know you’re being supported and what you’re doing and the opportunities are coming at you from right to center, especially when you’re in Australia.
“You hope to get more medals, break records and make the country proud and I appreciate the opportunity they have given me.”
Cikamatana was among the athletes involved in the pre-Games Queen’s Baton Relay at MCG on Sunday.
The 22-year-old enjoyed the opportunity as she waited for the confirmation of the selection.
“It’s a great opportunity for me,” she said.
“Holding Baton today just gave me an extra burning fire, and told me Birmingham is around the corner and I have to give it my all.
“It simply came to our notice then.
Continuing training as hard as ever, achieving these goals will prepare me mentally and physically, no matter what the outcome.
“At this point, I can think of everything that is hard to train, keep hoping for the best and wait for the announcement day, whether I’m there or not.”
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