Fijian weightlifter Leyna-May Domonatani's introduction to weightlifting came through swimming. She was part of the swim team, doing strength training, when the eyes of the Fijian national coaches fell on her.

The 20-year-old had been swimming from as early as she could remember.

“Coach Henry Elder (Fiji coach) told me that I was built for weightlifting. I was 16 years old then, and weightlifting was just part of strength training for swimming,” she said.

“I took the coach’s comments seriously, and here I am. My focus in the championships in Samoa is to better my personal best and hopefully prepare myself for Commonwealth selection.”

Domonatani knows that the IWF Championship will be a test of how she has prepared.

“It will be tough. Being on the stage is not only a physical test but a mental one as well. So, when I get my chance to be on the stage, I will have to be focused,” she added.

“There are lifters from all over the world, and everyone is here with an ambition and a goal. I am just watching now and I will be competing towards the end of the week, but I can feel the energy.

“It will test how I have prepared and I know the guidance from the coaches and the management will prepare me for it.”

Domonatani still swims but not competitively and she is pursuing a Bachelor of Design degree.

She is part of the Fijian team that has brought 25 athletes to compete. For some of them, like Domonatani, this will be the biggest stage they have competed on.