John Lemoa is Mr. Samoa 2018

By Adel Fruean 25 November 2018, 12:00AM

John Lemoa has clinched the Mr. Samoa title for the second consecutive year at the Faleata Gym 1, Tuanaimato.

The current holder of the title stormed home on Saturday night when he came first in the men’s 90kgs-plus division, which enabled him to compete for the overall title of Mr. Samoa 2018 that he went on to win. 

The 27-year-old credited his success to the support and encouragement of his parents, Kiona and Manuele Lemoa from Samusu Aleipata, Vailoa Palauli and Fasito’o-uta.

“My motivation was my family, I have sacrificed so much staying in town for 11 weeks, I normally stay in the south-east coast with my family.

“I have not seen my family in almost three months now and being away from my family gave me more reason to strive for excellence and the support from my family was amazing. My parents would call me every week with words of encouragement which really helped me a lot.

“I had to sacrifice valuable time which was the time I used to spend with them, which a lot of people take for granted, but for me not every day you are blessed to see and spend time with your parents,” he said in an interview with Samoa Observer. 

John said sometimes it felt lonely but just hearing his parent’s voices “melted his heart” and got him to continue with his training.

“I experienced challenges during my off season when I gained weight and so I had to build on my weak areas, which the work put in for this year’s competition was three times harder compared to last year’s competition.

“But the ultimate goal for the year has now been achieved; I am overjoyed that all the hard work throughout 11 weeks has been paid off through tonight’s results.

“The next step is to go back to the gym but then for now, just enjoy a bit of eating and then of course get back into shape and also prepare for a full schedule for next year’s competitions,” he added. 

The overall winner of the women’s bodybuilding 2018 for the second year, Tunu Nancy Matautai-Elisara, was overwhelmed with her continued success.

She said she faced difficulties along the way but was grateful to her uncle Tuitaalili Iosefo Mata’u for being her trainer and her family for their support.

The 34-year-old mother of four from Maluafou said that her journey for this year was not easy—as it came down to training for five days a week for three weeks straight—balancing her diet but most importantly taking care of her kids, but she overcame all her challenges and got the results. 

There were two females and 41 males that competed in various divisions and were judged by head judge Mark Steward from International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB), Esther Tofilau (IFBB New Zealand president), Peter Reid, Sala McMoore, and Leaupepe Esera Poliko—based on their mandatory posing, one-minute routine, presentation, and conditioning.

According to the president of the Bodybuilding Federation of Samoa (B.F.S.), Romulus Leung Wai, this year’s competition had a larger crowd and more pool of athletes coming in from Australia and New Zealand and American Samoa to compete against the local athletes. 

“One of the highlight for this year’s event is the return of our former champion and pioneer Karl Tui Adams as guest poser.

“One of the challenges was in the hard work through drawing in the crowd and trial out the numbers of people interested on the sport.

“But IFBB Samoa Bodybuilding Federation would like to sincerely thank all the sponsors, Samoa Airways, Vailima Breweries, Tv3, Radio Polynesia, Joe’s Gym, Samoa Commercial Bank, Rudy’s Quickprint, Pro-com Systems Limited, Blush Creations and donors, Sunrise family restaurant, Petroleum Products Supplies Limited (PPS), Special Occasion Supplies (SOS), Samoana Rentals, Samoa Shipping Corporation, Farmer Joes, Pinati’s Restaurant, New Zealand High Commision, Samoa Stationery and Books (S.S.A.B.), Land Transport Authority, Samoa Cool Water, Sai Motors, Le Aute Gas, Eveni, Bluesky,  Samoa International Finance Authority (S.I.F.A), and all others who have generously donated for our event and making it a great success,” he added.

 

Results: 

Mr. Samoa 2018 – John Lemoa

Overall winner of Women’s Bodybuilding 2018 – Tunu Nancy Elisara

Winner of men’s physique under 75kgs – Arona Taaloga

Winner of men’s physique under 80kgs – Kolio Mareko

Overall women’s physique – Tunu Nancy Elisara

Overall men’s physique – Arona Taaloga

Winner of junior men – Peniamina Matale

Winner of men’s under 70kgs – John Ioane

Winner of men’s under 80kgs – Tai Vili

Winner of men’s over 80kgs – Victory Wong Soon

Winner of the men’s under 85kgs – Chris Aperu

Winner of the men’s under 90ks – Alpha Isaako

Winner of the men’s over 90kgs – John Lemoa

By Adel Fruean 25 November 2018, 12:00AM

Trending Stories

Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>