Weightlifting Federation gears up for 2019 Pacific Games

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 29 July 2018, 12:00AM

The Samoa Weightlifting Federation hosted the Junior and Novice tournament last week to identify elite lifters to represent Samoa in the 2019 Pacific Games. 

Held at their Tuanaimato Gym yesterday, President and Coach of the Samoa Weightlifting Federation, Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork saidabout 30 male and female lifters competed in the tournament. 

“We are trying to weed out our elite junior squad.That elite Junior we are building up for the South Pacific Games if we are going because at the moment we are still deciding on whether we should participate in the S.P.G. or not.

“So if we do participate in the S.P.G., this will be the squad that we will select the team from to carry the Samoan flag for weightlifting.”

Tuaopepe said this is the first time they’ve held a tournament like this.

“There are a lot of young talented lifters coming up and we wanted to have a competition for them so that they can come out and show their talent and there will be prices as well to be won,” he said.

Tuaopepe said he is looking for lifters who stand a chance of winning a gold medal at the S.P.G.

“If we do go, then we will not be going to the SPG for any other medal, we are competing for gold medals like any other country.

“There is still question mark whether we are competing at the S.P.G.There are many issues that is making it hard for us to participate, so we are still thinking about it and we are still preparing a team regardless if we participate or not.

“We have other tournaments that we have to worry about and for next year at the World Championships, I want my lifters to win a gold medal.So those are much bigger goals than the South Pacific Game.

Special prizes for the tournament includethe best female and male lifters in the juniors and seniors divisions and a prize for the most improved lifter. 

“This is just a national tournament and it is all preparations for the many tournaments ahead of us and most especially the Olympics.”

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 29 July 2018, 12:00AM
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