The President of the Samoa Weightlifting Federation, Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork was appointed to the executive board of the International Weightlifting Federation in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

His selection was during the Electoral Congress 2025.

“ The appointment is a great honour for me and I thank the Lord for the blessings. Being the only Oceania representative voted onto the board is also a great honour. This will benefit Weightlifting Samoa in the future, and major international events to be brought to our country to host,” he said.

Tuaopepe was the only representative from the Oceania region who was successfully voted onto the IWF Executive Board. He was elected as the President of the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (SASNOC) early April this year.

Early this year, he opened up the first-ever Oceania Weightlifting Institute, where overseas teams can join and train. Coaching clinics are also offered at the institute. The weightlifting team under Tuaopepe's leadership has always been made up of local athletes. 

Tuaopepe is no stranger in the weightlifting arena as he is the man whose name has become synonymous with the sport in Samoa. He wears many hats in the sport. Once a former athlete, these days he is not only the weightlifting president, but he is also the coach. 

Tuaopepe hails from the villages of Vaoala, Gagaifolevao Lefaga, Satupa’itea, Lano and Faleula. Aside from the Tuaopepe and Asiata titles, he also holds the Papalii and Vui titles.