Government Honors Top Athletes & Sends Off Team Samoa Glasgow 2026

By Jeannie Penehuro/

Apia, SAMOA – 17 July 2026 – The Government celebrated its top athletes in a special ceremony at Gym 1 at the Faleata Sports Complex this week and the event coupled with a heartfelt send off Team Samoa for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Led by the Prime Minister, Cabinet and the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (SASNOC), the night recognized the incredible achievements and performances of the athletes in recent international competitions both in Samoa and overseas.

Team Samoa for the 2026 Commonwealth Games is expected to depart Samoa on 20 July with the Games running from 23 July to 3 August 2026.

Team Samoa for Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026.

Team Samoa will compete in five out of the ten that will be featured in Glasgow and include 3 in Athletics, 4 Swimmers, 9 Weightlifters, 4 Boxers and one in Judo.

President of the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (SASNOC), Tuaopepe Asiata Jerry Wallwork, noted that this is the smallest team Samoa has sent since 1974.

The Minister of Sports and Recreation is leading the official delegation to attend the Ministerial meetings and offer support for the team.

Samoa’s Flag Bearers during the Opening Ceremony are weightlifters Iuniarra Sapaia and Sanele Mao and Alexander Melei Rose will be the flag bearer for Samoa in the Closing ceremony.

Legendary boxer To’aletai david Tua is part of Team Samoa’s Boxing Coaching team.

The athletes recognized and received financial rewards along the following divisions.

• Individual Sports Gold Medallist received $2,000 for each gold medal and Coach received $1,000.
• Team Sports Gold Medallists received $4,000 for the team and coaches.

The Gold Medallists Recipients of the Solomon 2023 Pacific Games 

1. Nu’uausala Sialataua Tuilefano (Female)
2. 100m Shotput (Athletics) received 2 Gold Medals
3. Sauaso Mata’utia 1 Gold Medal – Body Building
4. Lafaele Aokuso 1 Gold Medal – Body Building
5. Ato Plodzicki Faoagali 1 Gold Medal in Boxing
6. Eteline Tiraa 1 Gold Medal – Power Lifting
7. Oliva Kirisome 1 Gold Medal – Power Lifting
8. Rugby League Samoa (Men’s) Gold Medal – Rugby League
9. Tennis Women’s team of – Gold Medal
10. Tennis Doubles women – Gold Medal
11. Touch Rugby Women’s Team – Gold Medal
12. Touch Rugby Men’s Team – Gold Medal
13. Touch Rugby Mix Team – Gold Medal
14. Outrigger Canoe – Gold Medal
15. Weightlifting of Samoa:
    * Iuniarra Sipaia 2 Gold Medals
    * Niusila Fiapule 1 Gold Medal
    * Vaipapa Nevo Ioane 3 gold Medals
    * John Tafi 3 Gold Medals
    * Maeu Nana 3 Gold Medals
    * Don Opeloge 3 Gold Medals

Gold Medalists from the 2026 Oceania Wrestling Championships

1. Kaku Akazawa – 5 Gold Medals
2. Naseri Benjamin Niki – 1 Gold Medals
3. Marcus Tevaga – 2 Gold Medals
4. Iosefo Iulio – 2 Gold Medals
5. Jeremiah Tipama’a – 1 Gold Medal
6. Afiamaimauga Maliko – 2 Gold Medals
7. Shane Palemia – 4 Gold Medals
8. Leauga Falevalu Leauga – 1 Gold Medal
9. Taitaifono Tamati – 1 Gold Medal
10. Christina Sumo – 1 Gold Medal
11. Angel Peroseta – 1 Gold Medal

Gold Medalists from the 2026 IBFC Universal Weightlifting Cup

1. Seine Stowers 6 Gold Medals (Female Champion) $12,000
2. Sanele Mao 4 Gold Medals
3. John Tafi 4 Gold Medals
4. Iuniarra Sipaia 3 Gold Medals
5. Niusila Opeloge 2 Gold Medals
6. Jack Opeloge 2 Gold Medals
7. Faitasia Seuao 1 Gold Medal
8. Emmanuel Ulimasao 2 Gold Medals
9. Sione Sasa 2 Gold Medals