Weightlifting came to a close at the Samoa Games with several Oceania and Commonwealth records broken and many new young Samoan talents discovered.

The President of the Samoa Weightlifting Association, Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork, was very happy after seeing the athletes perform, putting them well on track for their preparation towards the Pacific Games and for Olympic Qualifiers.

“It was a fantastic event to revive Samoa Games and these games can grow to become much bigger and we have utilised it for our own team as a test and trial event for us. The athletes have replied well to the Games by lifting well especially the younger ones," said Tuaopepe.

Some of the senior athletes put on stellar performances by breaking Commonwealth and Oceania Records.

Don Opeloge came out to set a new Commonwealth record for the clean and jerk for the 102kg category with a whopping 206kg on his second attempt.

Nevo Ioane also set the new Oceania senior record in the clean and Jerk with a lift of 165kg.

“We are right on track for our preparations and now we are looking at the Commonwealth Championships in India and also for our Olympic qualifier which is our first international for this year as we keep building many more nationals,” said Tuaopepe.

Tuaopepe said he is very impressed with the juniors who are currently lifting at junior Oceania and junior Commonwealth levels.

17 year old Fomai Moresi from Palisi Ale is one of the super juniors who received the award for the most outstanding junior weightlifters in the tournament.

“It’s not just about his lifting, it’s also about his attitude, the way he approaches the platform and everything else. He came today for war, he was ready and he gave it everything,” he said

“He will be the next super for us coming up and look out for him in the next Commonwealth Games in 2026. With a few other names here in Samoa he is one of the names you should look out for,” said Tuaopepe.

He was able to improve 20kgs in just two months and is the next weightlifting superstar for Samoa. He caught the eye of  Paul Coffa, the General Secretary of the Oceania Weightlifting Federation and the Commonwealth Weightlifting Federation.

This humble young boy was extremely grateful to receive the Oceania Gold Medal award from Paul Coffa himself after his talent identification as the best Junior Lifter at the event. Fomai was also awarded the Silver medal for his personal best from all three lifts.

"I want to thank God for what I achieved with this Talent he has blessed me with. I will continue to pray for more strength and continue to train harder for my next achievement," said Fomai.