Samoa’s Falevaa Tafi delivered a remarkable performance to win bronze in the men’s 65kg A category at the IBFC Universal Weightlifting Cup 2026, while 13-year-old Shanyiah Seuao made an impressive start for the host nation in the junior competition.

Samoa’s Falevaa Tafi secured a bronze medal in the men’s 65kg A category at the IBFC Universal Weightlifting Cup 2026.

Tafi opened his snatch with 106kg and went on to successfully lift 111kg and 115kg. In the clean and jerk, he completed lifts of 131kg, 135kg, and 140kg, finishing with a total of 250kg. Papua New Guinea’s Morea Baru took the silver medal, while India’s Charu Pesi won gold.

Earlier, 13-year-old Shanyiah Seuao opened competition for Samoa in the junior 58kg division at the Oceania Championships. She lifted 42kg, 45kg, and 48kg in the snatch, succeeding on all first attempts. In the clean and jerk, she completed 50kg, 55kg, and 61kg, finishing with a total of 109kg.