Seine Stowers marked her 18th birthday in a moment filled with emotion and pride, celebrating not only the occasion but also a record-breaking performance and a remarkable medal haul at the IBFC Universal Cup 2026.

She lifted 112 kg in the snatch and 142 kg in the clean and jerk to set new World Junior and Oceania records.

Her mother, Maofa Lagaaia Vaeono, and family travelled from Fa‘ala, Palauli in Savai‘i to witness her success.

Seine’s mother said she was proud and grateful for her daughter’s achievement, thanking God for the result.

“It is a special moment to celebrate Seine’s birthday together with her winning medals,” she said.

Seine has just turned 18, and she is the seventh of eight children in her family.

Her mother added that Seine’s father has been supporting her through her journey, motivating her and helping to refine her weightlifting talent.

In the IFBC Universal Cup, Siene swept gold in the snatch, clean and jerk, and total. She also won gold in the Junior Oceania Championships and Junior Commonwealth Championships.

She now holds five gold medals after delivering a record-breaking performance in the women’s 77kg division across the Oceania and Commonwealth Championships.

Meanwhile, on Thursday night, Sione Sasa claimed four gold medals in the 88kg division.

He took gold in the Oceania Junior, Oceania Youth, Commonwealth Junior, and Commonwealth Youth categories, delivering a dominant performance across all four divisions.

In the snatch, he opened with 125kg, failed his first attempt, then succeeded on his second. He finished the snatch with a best lift of 130kg.

In the clean and jerk, Sione made 153kg, then 161kg, but failed his attempt at 170kg.

His combined total was 291kg.

His combined performance sealed a clean sweep of gold medals across all four divisions.