The SWA Samoa Weightlifting team continues to set the bar high with one of their lifters Nevo Ioane setting a new Oceania and Commonwealth record in his lift on Tuesday evening.

President of the SWA Samoa Weightlifting, Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork, said he is proud of his team's achievements but it does not stop there as they will continue on with their training. 

"There is a lot of uncertainties right now, but we are still training as always. The team is well prepared if ever they'll go to the Tokyo Olympics," he added.

"Right now, everything is an 'if' due to border restrictions and also there are a lot of uncertainties."

Tuaopepe also mentioned that if Opeloge keeps up with his performance this week there is a chance that he would be ranked number 1 in the world.

"Currently Don is in the top 3 for the world record, but if he lifts well tonight and this week then there is a chance of him being ranked first in the World," added Tuaopepe. 

"Not only Don, but Nevo is in the top 7 for his weight, Iuniarra and Sanele as well are also looking good on the ranking."

The athletes who have qualified for the Tokyo Olympics have not yet been confirmed, according to Tuaopepe, even though they know who has qualified they cannot really say it as the International weightlifting federation (I.W.F) is yet to announce it.

"The IWF is yet to make they announce but they will, four weeks before the Olympics. Even though we know that Don and Nevo have made it, but we still have to wait for the official announcement," he said.

"The big countries like Russia and other countries also know who in their team has made it but all waiting for the official announcement by I.W.F. 

"There are a lot of uncertainties going on right now, in Japan there is like 70 per cent of the people are against the hosting of the game."

Tuaopepe also confirmed with Samoa Observer that his athletes have been drug tested three times in ten days, which was a new experience for them however he says that it is in their best interest as well as they are all clean.

"It is very unusual before we get tested once a month or twice a month but now our team has had their drug tests but all came out negative. I am actually happy about these drug tests because none of these tests has come out positive."

"But it's not only us but they also test the other athletes overseas even as we speak, and some of them are positive. So I am pleased to say that we are still competing in this competition clean."

Tuaopepe also acknowledged the support of their naming sponsor the Samoa Water Authority as well as sponsors Supakako, Pure Pacific Water and Samoa.