Don Opeloge smashes record to win first Gold for Samoa in Birmingham

By Talaia Mika

APIA, SAMOA – 03 AUGUST 2022: 23 year old Samoan Weightlifter Don Opeloge won Samoa’s first Gold Medal of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in the 96kg Men’s Weightlifting early this morning. He also smashed the Commonwealth Games records in both the Snatch and Clean & Jerk.

Samoa’s first medal at the Games was Silver won by veteran lifter Vaipapa Nevo Ioane in the Men’s 67kg category.

Opeloge’s monster lift was celebrated in the arena with his boogie dance joined by a Samoan supporter as excitement filled the air from the audience.

The 23 year old smashed his own records and saved the best for last when he cleared 200kg and 210kg, before failing at 220kg in the clean and jerk, for a Golden total of 381kg – a Games record.

His clearance at 210kg matched the best lift of any Commonwealth lifter at that weight, joining his brother Niusila and sister Ele in carrying the championship title at the Games.

Samoa is placed 15^th on the Commonwealth medal tally with two medals – one Gold and one Silver.

Vaipava Nevo Ioane of Samoa won Silver, Lalrinnunga Jeremy of India won Gold and Bronze went to Edidiong Umoafia of Nigeria

34 year old weightlifter Vaipava Nevo Ioane, won Silver with a 127kg snatch, which was 2 kilos more than his personal best of 125kg. Vaipava then moved on to set a new Commonwealth Games record for the Clean and Jerk, with a lift of 166kg.

19 year old lifter Lalrinnunga Jeremy of India won Gold and Bronze went to Edidiong Umoafia of Nigeria, also 19 years old.

Vaipava has represented Samoa in the sport for fifteen years and has a solid record of medals won to his name having won his first Gold medal in the 2007 South Pacific Games.

He indicated his retirement when he left his boots on the stage after his Silver effort in Birmingham.