Samoa’s elite weightlifters delivered a spectacular showcase of dominance and precision at the Australian Championships 2025, setting a flurry of Oceania, Commonwealth and World Youth records.

According to Weightlifting Samoa, this has become one of the nation’s most successful international outings to date.

Leading the charge was John Tafi, who stunned the crowd in the Men’s 71kg division with a 137kg snatch, establishing a new Oceania senior record. Tafi continued his momentum with a 170kg clean and jerk, adding two more Oceania senior records and securing the overall category title. His performance reinforced Samoa’s depth in the lighter men’s divisions and highlighted his continued rise in the regional rankings.

In the Men’s 94kg, young talent Emmanuel Ulimasao made his mark with a 142kg snatch, setting a new Oceania junior record. His lift signalled the emergence of a new generation of Samoan weightlifters ready to follow in the footsteps of the nation’s established champions.

But the most electrifying performance belonged to 17-year-old Seine Stowers, who made history with three World Youth records in the Women’s 77kg division. Stowers broke the snatch record with 107kg, surpassing the previous mark of 106kg. She then smashed the clean and jerk world youth record with 137kg, eclipsing the former record of 133kg. Stowers executed a flawless six-for-six performance that cemented her as one of the most promising young lifters in the world.

Samoa’s powerhouse athletes continued to dominate the heavier divisions. Jack Opeloge claimed victory in the Men’s 110kg, setting a new Oceania senior record with a 208kg clean and jerk and another in the total at 368kg. The Opeloge name once again proved synonymous with excellence on the international stage.

In the super-heavyweight men’s division, Sanele Mao broke his own Commonwealth record with a 182kg snatch, surpassing the previous standard of 181kg. Mao also set a new Oceania record while winning the Men’s 110+kg category, adding another milestone to his storied career.

In the Women’s 86+kg, June Sipaia delivered a commanding performance with a 112kg snatch, earning a new Oceania record and the category title. She followed with two additional Oceania records in the clean and jerk (155kg) and total, beating the previous jerk record of 150kg.