APIA, (SAMOA OBSERVER) —-The Samoa Weightlifting team return to Samoa Wednesday with a large haul of gold medals after a successful Mainland Open Weightlifting Tournament in Christchurch New Zealand, last week.
The medal haul includes nine gold medals – not including bronze and silver.
And as icing on the cake, Mary Opeloge was declared the competition’s Best Female lifter while NevoIoane won the Best Male lifter award.
Coach Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork is elated with his team’s effort.
“In the first day of the Mainland Open Weightlifting Tournament held in Christchurch (NZ), Samoa weightlifters won three Gold medals with the lighter divisions,” he said.
“In the afternoon of the same day, the men’s division 85 kg and 94 kg division Samoa had won two extra gold medals.”
Tuaopepe said that it was a tough competition because there were some great competitors from New Zealand and Australia.
“They did their best and we’re able to go for first place.”
The second day of the tournament saw Samoa winning four gold medals in the women’s divisions and the men’s heavy weight.
“Samoa Weightlifting dominated the second day by winning Gold Medals in every division we entered lifters,” said Tuaopepe.
“Samoa had a clean sweep of nine Gold medals and 1 silver medal out of the 10 member team that participated.
“Furthermore, Samoa also won the best Female and Male Lifter of the tournament and won the overall best team trophy.”
