Minister of Sports and Recreation Laumatiamanu Ringo Mathew Purcell has served the Samoa Weightlifting team with a challenge to aim for Gold at the 2024 Olympics hosted in Paris this August.
“We have never won Gold at the Olympics but I believe it can be done.”
The Minister was addressing the President, Management and Team of the Samoa Weightlifting Federation who met with him today especially to extend the Federation’s appreciation for the Government of Samoa’s support for the weight-lifting team that attended the IWF World Cup 2024 in Phuket Thailand from March 31st to April 11th.
The Minister was also represented with the Best Overall lifter for the Oceania and Commonwealth Award that was achieved by Don Opeloge.
Opeloge who comes from a family of renowned lifters in Samoa, smashed the Commonwealth and Oceania Records with an incredible PB 221kg clean and jerk taking the lead in the Mens 102kg jerk session.
He secured Silver in the Mens 102kg at the IWF World Cup 2024.
Minister Laumatiamanu extended his thanks to the management and team reiterating the adage that not all ‘vaa will win the race’ but regardless, Samoa witnessed the team give it all their best at the competition in Thailand.
He told the President, Management and team that there is always that belief that depending on God will bring strength and that preparations for today lead to success in the future.
“Now, you have even returned to express your appreciation to the Government for its support for you at the competition you attended,” said the Minister.
“The Government thanks you for your patriotism, well done.”
President of the Federation Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork acknowledged the challenge laid down by the Minister to win gold at the Olympics.
Reiterating that they will give it their best this year in Paris.
Tuaopepe also acknowledged the overall success of the weightlifting team so far.
Noting that attending the meeting with the Minister were not just representatives competing at the IWF World Cup 2024 but lifters that represented Samoa at the Oceania Championship Qualifiers in New Zealand.
The overall final results were 10 Gold, 4 Silver and 1 Bronze, and 3 new Oceania records and 3 new Commonwealth records.
The two qualifiers from weightlifting for the Olympics are; Do Opeloge and Iuniarra Sipaia both obtaining this status by merit says Tuaopepe.
There is hope a third spot through continental will be made available so Samoa will have three lifters at the Olympics but for the present time Tuaopepe says it’s a waiting game.
The contender for that spot is Sanele Mao who although secured a PB Snatch of 180kg at the IWF Cup 2024, missed his last attempt at the 234kg Jerk.
Tuaopepe acknowledged the long standing support from the Government of Samoa for the development and competitions lifters of the federation are called overseas to participate in.
Also revealing that there are plans in the pipeline to request to Government for further financial support for the team heading to Paris for the Olympics.
According to Tuaopepe there are three more months before the games and they have a lot of work to do.
The team are prepping for travel overseas for a training camp. But Tuaopepe revealed to the Savali News that team Samoa to the Olympics will be leaving the country early, first spending two weeks in Italy at a training camp, before heading to Paris for the actual competition.
“There is weight already on the shoulders of the two qualifiers for the Olympics but we are praying for a third spot through continental and all that depends on the help of God for that. We will do our best to try for the first Gold ever at the Olympics.”
The team were supported by the NBS – National Bank of Samoa, Government of Samoa, and SASNOC and Pacific Aus Sports at the competition in Thailand.
Authored by Jasmine Netzler-Iose
