Tulo wins Fiji Sportman of the Year
LEVUKA native weightlifter Manueli Tulo won the 2009 Sportsman of the Year Award at the Fiji Sports Council Awards on Friday night. This is the second consecutive year Tulo has won this award. Tulo, who is based at the Oceania Weightlifting Institute in New – Caledonia, produced a remarkable achievement last year setting records, winning gold medals and also was awarded one of the eight Commonwealth Sports awards.
Tulo, was not at the awards ceremony as he was in New Caledonia. Accepting the award on his behalf was Tulo’s father Sunia Uatela-tela. After receiving the award from chief guest the President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, his father said he was proud of his son’s achievement.
Although Tulo is only 19 years of age, he is the current Oceania Senior and Junior Champion in the 56kg category. His best lifts are 106kg snatch, and 135kg clean & jerk.
Another young teenage weightlifter from Levuka, Maria Liku was the runner-up in the Sportswoman of the Year award. Maria won three gold medals in the 58kg category at the Pacific Mini Games held in the Cook Islands last September.
