The Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (S.A.S.N.O.C) has announced Samoa Weightlifting Federation is officially the overall Oceania Online League Champions for 2021 after a strong performance during the competition.

As Samoa Weightlifting gears up to compete in the upcoming Commonwealth Games next year in Birmingham, United Kingdom, they have accomplished yet another milestone by claiming the overall championship trophy for both the women's and men’s divisions.

The country's dominant performance against other weightlifters in the Oceania region has been attributed to the ongoing commitment and leadership of Samoa Weightlifting Federation’s President Tuaopepe Asiata Jerry Wallwork.

S.A.S.N.O.C. incoming President Pauga Tala Pauga applauded the Samoa Weightlifting Federation for their achievement and said it was a great way for him to start his tenure as President.

“We salute and recognise the dedication and hard work by our weightlifters and Coach/President Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork in their continued success, not only in the Oceania region, but on the international arena as well,” said Pauga. 

“This achievement was made possible due to the consistent high level of performance by Samoa’s Weightlifting Federation in the region, as a weightlifting powerhouse here in the Pacific”.

A ceremony was held at the S.A.S.N.O.C Samoa conference room at Tuanaimato for the official handover of the championship trophy on Wednesday.

Samoa’s qualified weightlifters for the Tokyo Olympics, Vaipava Nevo Ioane, Don Opeloge and Iuniarra Sipaia were disappointed at not being able to attend the Summer Olympic Games due to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions and health risks that led to the government declaring that they would not participate.

In an interview with Tuaopepe, he said he is proud of the fact that even though many of the members of his team were young and inexperienced, nonetheless they made their nation proud with their record-breaking outing at the virtual Oceania Championship.

He also added that the 11 medalists have automatically qualified for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham next year.

Tuaopepe added that the athletes who could not qualify for the Commonwealth Games through the Online Oceania Championships will get a second chance come December for the Commonwealth Championships.

The Samoa Weightlifting Federation acknowledged the valued support of its sponsors and partners such as Pure Pacific Water, Samoa Paints, the Government of Samoa and S.A.S.N.O.C.