Ele at centre after being awarded her three gold medals – flanked by Narita Viliamu of Niue and Iuni Simanu

By Renate Rivers 

 

Team Samoa have received a massive boost with a tremendous gold medal-haul of nine in one day from the Weightlifting team.
Faavae Faauliuli, Niusila Opeloge and Ele Opeloge all dominated their respective divisions, leaving fellow competitors in their wake.

 

Ele – Samoa’s golden-girl of weightlifting – was without pair in her 75kg and over division, lifting 33kg more than her nearest snatch competitor. Iuni Simanu was also competing in the same division and fought hard for third placing against tough competitors from Kiribati (Taatia Riino) and Cook Islands (Luisa F. Taitapu).

 

Ele won gold with a top effort of 120kg – also attempting to set a new Oceania, Pacific and Commonwealth record by lifting 127kg. Unfortunately she was unable to complete the lift, but retained top placing whilst Iuni Simanu secured bronze with a 87kg lift.

 

While Iuni and Narita Viliamu of Niue battled for silver, Ele focused on her record-breaking attempt in the Clean and Jerk.

 

This she achieved with an astonishing and magnificent lift of 161kg – simultaneously raising the bar for other lifters and also setting a new record for the Pacific, Oceania and Commonwealth.

 

 

 

Unsurprisingly, overall gold was awarded to Ele with a best lift total of 281kg, with Narita Viliamu winning silver with her best total of 210kg. The overall bronze winner was Iuni Simanu with a fantastic effort of 199kg total.

 

On her record-breaking win, Ele was humble and thankful.

 

“I am overjoyed at breaking my previous record..of setting a new one. I couldn’t have done it without the support of Team Samoa and all our family, friends and everyone back home who has been wishing the best for us.
“These games have been a good way for me to prepare for the upcoming World Championships and Olympic Games next year, and it was my focus to try and exceed .. to do better than my previous lifts – not just to win the gold but to break the record.”

 

Faavae, who competed in the 94kg weight division, was very impressive with his 140kg Snatch – miles ahead of his closest competitor – and 192kg Clean and Jerk to take out the gold just ahead of his nearest opponent David Katoatau of Kiribati.

 

David, who trains at Mont Dore in New Caledonia at the Oceania Institute of Weightlifting, had lifted 192kg first and for a few minutes, became the new record-holder for the South Pacific in his weight division for the Clean and Jerk. Faavae, not to be outdone, matched the 192kg lift within a few minutes, ensuring both their names in the record books.

 

He also won the overall gold with a best total of 332kg lifted in both lifting styles.

 

Overall silver went to David Katoatau and bronze awarded to Teataua Tito – both representing Kiribati.

 

Niusila competed in the 105kg division with younger brother Tovia Opeloge, both earning three medals each.

 

Niusila equalled the current South Pacific Snr record for snatch with a top lift of 152kg, ahead of Kiribati’s Meameaa Thomas whose top effort of 145kg gave him silver. Tovia lifted a respectable 130kg to secure the bronze for Samoa.

 

The placings would be repeated in the Clean and Jerk, with Niusila once again triumphing with a top lift of 194kg, followed by Meameaa on 190kg and Tovia on 170kg. Niusila looked very comfortable with this style, breezing through his first two attempts at 187kg and 194kg. After assuring his gold medal placing, he attempted to set a new Pacific record with an attempt at 201kg in which he was unsuccessful.

 

Weightlifting coach Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork was elated with the effort of all lifters.

 

“It was in the plan for Ele to attempt to break her previous record, so for her to deliver is a fantastic feeling…not only that but Mary’s record-breaking lift yesterday, especially with the Snr record she broke..I mean, as a Jnr that’s a great result for us all.

 

“Ele is without equal in the Pacific, Oceania and frankly the Commonwealth, so this tournament has been all about pushing her to go further.

 

According to Tuaopepe, Ele is currently ranked third in the world – behind lifters from Russia and China.

 

“So on the world stage, there are these huge nations – major players – and then there’s little Samoa, home to one of the best in the world. That’s something to be really proud about.
“This has been a great tournament, and now we look forward to the World Champs in November. The champs will also serve as the Olympic qualifiers so we are pumped for that.”

 

 

 

The weightlifting medal-haul from tonight yielded 9 gold and 6 bronze for Team Samoa, upping the total to 14 Gold, 12 Silver, 21 Bronze – for a total 47 medals.

 

 

 

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