Samoa’s SWA weightlifting team has come out winners in the overall standings of the Oceania Weightlifting Federation’s Online Challenge League.

National coach and Samoa Weightlifting Federation President, Tuaopepe Jerry Asiata Wallwork, told the Samoa Observer that his team has cemented the top spot in the regional tournament standing after they defeated Nauru in Round 8 with a surplus total lift of 851kg.

"Great results for Round 8 of the OWF Online Challenge League," he said. "The SWA Samoa weightlifting team have run away again with a dominant performance beating Nauru by a surplus 851kgs. 

“Cementing our place to take the overall Oceania Champions Cup for 2020-2021. One more round left next month on the 19th - 20th of February.”

A press release issued by the tournament organisers stated that Samoa defeated Nauru easily to be the most outstanding team in the competition.

"Samoa beat Nauru quite easily. Some of the performances of the Samoan team can only be described as truly outstanding with Sanele Mao totalling 410kgs and Leotina Petelo totalling 240kgs and the rest of the Samoan team results were simply superb," stated the media release.

Samoa's aggregate score now exceeds 9429.56kg with Australia second with a score of 4094.96kgs and New Zealand with 2412.74kg running third.

The SWA Weightlifting team that competed were John Tofi, Bob Pesaleli, Jack Opeloge, Don Opeloge, Petelo Lautusi, Sanele Mao, and Junior Tasi for the males, as for the females they have Avatu Opeloge, Sekolasitika Isaia, Saofaialo Jim, Leotina Petelo, Lesila Fiapule, Luniarra Sipaia, and Alison Sefo.

The total score for Samoa during their clash with Nauru was 2689.68kg less from Nauru's aggregate score of 1838.47kg, that's how they got the 851.21 kg surplus and secured their first spot in the OWF Online league.

The SWA Weightlifting Samoa is excited for their meetup with Pacific 2 next month.

Tuaopepe said the team will continue to train as they have their next meet against Pacific 2 next month. 

He also acknowledged the support of their partners, which enabled them to prepare for the tournaments. 

“We acknowledge and give a special thank you to Samoa Water Authority - the name behind the Samoa Weightlifting and the force powering our team's performance,” he added. “We also thank our associate sponsors the SASNOC, Pure Pacific Water, Samoa Paints Limited and Supakako group.”