Two of Samoa's best weightlifters have kept the nation's dream of attaining their first gold medal at an Olympic Game by having an outstanding performance at the International Weightlifting Federation 2023 World Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and grabbing spots for Paris next year.

Samoa's golden boy Don Opeloge was the first to secure a spot for the Olympic Games 2024 with an outstanding 12kg improvement and a new Commonwealth Record at the World Championships. 

Iuniarra Sipaia also fought hard, missing the bronze medal by 1kg. Coming back from a back injury, she has made Samoa proud, ranking sixth in the world. She has also officially qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Sanele Mao lifts on Monday and also hopes to join the two who have made the cut for the Olympic Games.

They, together with the whole weightlifting team have been scheduled to participate in a number of international competitions this year, especially the Olympic qualifiers.

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, weightlifting coach, Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork expressed his excitement and pride for the  achievement from two of his best lifters.

"Don Opeloge was outstanding with a 12kg improvement and a new Commonwealth record. Missing his last attempt at 220kg which would have given him the silver medal. Don now has officially qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games next year," he said.

"This will be their first Olympics Game so it's a big deal for them.

"Samoa Weightlifting has come a long way over the past 20years. We now have athletes all ranked in the top eight in the world and all competing in the finals per their weight divisions at the IWF Senior World Weightlifting Championships 2023. 

"I would like to acknowledge the Government of Samoa and SASNOC who have contributed greatly to the success of the Samoa weightlifting team."

Sanele Mao will be the last to compete on before the team returns to prepare for the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands.

Opeloge in a previous interview highlighted that securing a spot in the Olympics has been his main goal this year.

Meanwhile, the team is also eyeing the upcoming Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands in November this year and the Olympic Games next year in Paris.

This Commonwealth championship is believed to be an invaluable springboard for the athletes, giving them the necessary experience and exposure in their pursuit of gold in the 2024 Olympics. 

The SWA have been displaying the results of their athletes on their social media page with many of them setting new personal bests in the previous months. Some of the association's most notable achievements were set by Nevo Ioane, who broke and set a new Oceania record in the clean and jerk in the men’s 67 kg category during the Samoa Games, and Opeloge who set a new Commonwealth record in the clean and jerk and total in the men’s 102kg category also during the Samoa games week.

Both these athletes are a part of the team currently participating in the championship in India and have the potential to secure and bring home the gold.

In a previous interview with Tuaopepe, he said that all these preparations will help prepare their lifters for the Pacific Games later this year and the Olympic qualifiers.