A gold-medal mindset

Powerlifter Fletcher Soligo is not only good at lifting weights – he’s also lifted a gold medal, national powerlifting records and a sporting award.

A first-year Bachelor of Arts student, Fletcher represented Aotearoa at the 2024 Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships, winning gold in the Classic Powerlifting 66kg Sub-Junior category and claiming the New Zealand squat record in the process.

Fletcher says while competing internationally might seem glamorous, it comes with plenty of nerves.

“It's so nerve-wracking going into a competition, but once I'm lifting it all just comes together. It's pretty surreal to compete internationally for my country.”

Fletcher’s talent for powerlifting came to light when he was a student at Wellington College.

“My dad got me into lifting weights and I've been working out since I was 13-14 years old.

“At 15 I hit 82.5kgs on the bench press. I called my dad and he said, ‘We have got to get you into powerlifting!’

“I asked a mate who was into powerlifting if I could go to his gym with him one day and the rest is history.”

That history has been impressive.

Fletcher was the Powerlifter of the Year at the 2024 College Sport Wellington Sportsperson of the Year Awards.

He has represented Aotearoa on the international stage three times, earning medals and setting national records along the way.

In addition to the podium finish at the 2024 Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships, Fletcher also participated in the 2025 Asian Pacific African Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships, setting the New Zealand record for bench press for his weight class.

Most recently, he formed part of the New Zealand delegation at the 2025 World Powerlifting Oceania Championships, coming in second and claiming the Oceania bench-press record in his weight class.

Fletcher Soligo at the 2025 World Powerlifting Oceania Championships.

The highlight was definitely winning gold, he says, calling it an “incredible feeling”.

It’s a feeling he’s hoping to recreate when he returns for his second Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships, in Winnipeg, Canada, come September.

“I'm hoping to break the national junior squat record for my weight class over there, which would be awesome considering it's my first year as a junior trying to break records set by guys older than me.”

When he’s not training for the next championship, Fletcher is working towards his other goal – becoming a therapist.

“I’ve always wanted to help people and am a very good listener, so I decided to pursue a career that combined the two.”

Otago ticked all the right boxes to help him achieve his goal, he says.

“I figured Psychology is the best way to start and Otago has a well-reputed Psychology department.”

His other consideration was a uni experience away from home.

“I wanted to leave home and go do something different. My preference was to study in the South Island, and Dunedin was the spot.”

Fletcher was also a recipient of the University of Otago Performance Entrance Scholarship, which recognises excellence in areas of performance including sport, culture, music and the arts.

“The scholarship lightened the financial load for me and my family.”

Now that he’s pursuing a Bachelor of Arts, how does he balance an international sporting career, studies, work and other commitments?

“Very delicately,” he jokes.

“But honestly, you just have to figure out what needs to be done and what can wait. It’s all about prioritising.”

Looking ahead, there is no shortage of ambition in Fletcher’s plans.

In the immediate future, his focus is on Canada and another medal-winning Commonwealth campaign. Beyond that, Fletcher has his sights set on the world stage.

“I’d love to make it to the World Championships in the next couple of years and compete against the best powerlifters in the world. I’d be super happy if I managed that.

“Until then, I’ll just keep doing what I'm doing I guess.”

~ Kōrero by Sandra French, Adviser, Internal Communications