By Lise Schmidt/
Apia, Samoa – 26 September 2024 – Samoa’s Weightlifting Team that triumphed at last weeks’ Commonwealth Championships in Fiji, brought home a tally of 8 gold medals, 1 silver medal, and 1 bronze medal.
Other than the medals, nine of the Samoan weightlifters have qualified for next years’ Commonwealth Games.
The remarkable achievement again highlights the dedication and commitment of the athletes and coaching staff that have endeared Samoa as a growing force in the weightlifting global community.
Competing against 37 other countries to qualify for next years’ Commonwealth Games, the Samoan team came out on top not only with its medal tally but setting 4 new Commonwealth records and 4 Oceania records during the competition. The results continue to underscore Samoa’s growing influence in international weightlifting and its commitment to excellence in sports.
The remarkable achievement was celebrated during a heartfelt ceremony at the National Bank of Samoa (NBS) conference room, where the athletes and management expressed gratitude to their major sponsor.
Papalii Samuel Swan, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Bank of Samoa, extended his heartfelt congratulations to the Samoa Weightlifting Association for their remarkable performance at the Commonwealth Championships in Fiji.
“Congratulations on your great success; it is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and spirit of each athlete,” Swan stated. He praised the team for making Samoa proud and highlighted the inspirational impact their achievements will have on the nation’s youth.
Reflecting on their previous discussions about the future of Samoa’s youth in weightlifting, Swan noted, “Your achievements have done a lot to inspire future generations.”
He underscored the importance of resilience, stating, “We celebrate your success, but not just your success but your resilience. From the last trip to this trip, it’s a testament of what you can do and how you can overcome whatever obstacles your team has encountered.”
The ceremony was an opportunity for Swan to express pride in being part of the team’s journey as its naming sponsor.
“You lifted the pride of the nation, and the National Bank has taken a little bit of that,” he stated. The event also highlighted the synergy between sporting excellence and national identity, reinforcing the idea that the athletes’ successes resonate far beyond the competition arena.
Samoa’s Weightlifting Coach, Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork, thanked NBS for their unwavering support.
“You always lifted our spirits from the Olympics to the Commonwealth Championships,” Tuaopepe said. “Your faith in us is crucial.”
Following the team’s disappointing results at the recent Olympic Games, the bank stood firm by the athletes, boosting their spirits during a challenging period.
“When we came back from the Olympic Games with unsatisfactory results, you always stood strong behind us. Today we are here to thank you for your unwavering support.”
The coach emphasized that the encouragement from the National Bank has been instrumental in providing the team with the courage to continue striving for excellence and their support gave the team strength to keep pushing forward.
“This achievement is the result of years of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. Our lifters have set the bar high, and we are excited to continue pushing boundaries and breaking records,” Tuaopepe stated.
Upcoming Young Stars
The standout of the event was 16 year old Seine Stowers of Leifiifi College, who not only clinched Gold in the Youth and Junior Women’s 76kg divisions but also set an new Commonwealth and Youth Record and the Oceania Junior record. Her phenomenal achievements have positioned her as a rising star in the sport.
In the Women’s 87kg category, Lesina Fiapule dominated her category winning Gold with an impressive lead of 45 kilos, showcasing her unmatched strength and skill. Meanwhile, Vatu Opeloge also earned a Gold medal, contributing to Samoa’s stellar performance in this year’s Championships.
On the Men’s achievements, John Tafi made headlines by winning Gold in the fiercely contested 73kg division. Remarkably, he broke both the senior Commonwealth and Oceania records—a testament to his dedication and just four years of experience in weightlifting. Nevo Ioane earned a Bronze medal in the challenging 67kg category.
The excitement continued with Gold medals for Jack Opeloge in the 96kg division and Don Opeloge in the 102kg division. Unfortunately, Jack narrowly missed breaking the Commonwealth Oceania record. Maeu Nanai Vivi added to the medal tally with a Bronze in the 109kg category, while Sanele Mao electrified the crowd in the 109+kg division, securing Gold and breaking all three Commonwealth and Oceania records in spectacular fashion in the clean and jerk.
In a historic first, Samoa had referees officiating at the Games, with Ola Salimu Lui and Tupuola taking on this pivotal role. This is a significant step forward for Samoan representation in the highest level of international sporting events.
