SASNOC Presents Awards for Samoan Elite Weightlifters

APIA, SAMOA – 07 MAY 2022: Five Gold Medals, two Silvers and one Bronze were awarded to nine of Samoa’s elite weightlifters by the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee in a special presentation last night.

The medals were won by the athletes in the 2021 Oceania Senior Weightlifting Championships in a virtual competition.

SASNOC says “their achievement indicates continuous unfailing efforts by the Samoa Weightlifting Federation (SWF) and its athletes to secure top placings in weightlifting, in the Oceania region, and one that has made not only the Federation and its athletes, but also partners, sponsors, families and friends, and all of Samoa, extremely proud.

Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, opportunities for our qualified weightlifters to compete on regional and international levels in the previous year were limited.

However, with modern technology, the Oceania Weightlifting Federation held competitions virtually, allowing Samoa to compete in the 2021 Oceania Senior Weightlifting Championships Online Live Tournament from 24th – 26th September 2021, where they secured six Gold Medals, 2 Silver Medals, and 1 Bronze Medal in both Men and Women divisions.

MEN

• Nevo Ioane, GOLD MEDAL – 67kg

• John Tafi, GOLD MEDAL – 73kg

• Don Opeloge, GOLD MEDAL – 96kg

• Jack Opeloge, GOLD MEDAL – 102kg

• Petelo Lautusi, GOLD MEDAL – 109kg

WOMEN

• Avatu Opeloge, BRONZE MEDAL – 76kg

• Imoasina Pelenato, SILVER MEDAL – 87kg

• Feagaiga Stowers, GOLD MEDAL – 87+kg

• Iuniarra Sipaia, SILVER MEDAL – 87+kg

SASNOC says that with this exceptional accomplishment, we are confident in Samoa Weightlifting Federation’s and its athletes ability to achieve more milestones in the upcoming games, namely the 2022 Pacific Mini Games in Saipan, CNMI and the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

“We congratulate and acknowledge the dedication and determination by our weightlifters, Board and the Executive of SWF, in their continued success in Oceania.

“Together with SWF, SASNOC extends its sincere gratitude to the continuous support and tremendous contribution of all its sponsors and partners, especially the Government of Samoa and its continued investment in sports development.”