Team Samoa triumphed in weightlifting, winning 10 gold, three silver, and one bronze medal during the Oceania Championships and Olympic Qualifier 2024 in Manukau, Auckland.

Don’s outstanding effort established a new Commonwealth and Oceania record, and he was named the tournament’s Best Overall Lifter.

Tuaopepe Asiata Wallwork, President and Coach of the Samoa Weightlifting Federation, is ecstatic with the lifters' performance throughout the tournament, calling it the most successful squad he has ever led to an Oceania Championships.

“It has all ended and what a tournament, this has been the most successful team I have ever taken on Oceania Championships,” he said.

“Every lifter achieved a personal best let alone Gold medals."

The Samoan team’s athletes for the Olympic Games in Paris, according to Tuaopepe, will be finalised following the final qualifiers in Thailand during the first week of April.

Medals:

Mens 67kg

GOLD MEDAL-Nevo Ioane

Mens 73kg

GOLD MEDAL-John Tafi

Mens 81kg

GOLD MEDAL -Tovio Ah Chong

GOLD MEDAL -Junior

Mens 89kg

GOLD MEDAL -Emanuel Ulimasao

Mens 96kg

GOLD MEDAL - Maeu NanaiLivi

Mens 102kg

GOLD MEDAL -Don Opeloge

Mens 109+kg

SILVER MEDAL -Sanele Mao

SILVER MEDAL-Junior - Fomai Faimanifo

Women's 71kg

BRONZE MEDAL-Seine Stowers

Women's 76kg

GOLD MEDAL-Avatu Opeloge

GOLD MEDAL-Junior

Women's 87+kg

GOLD MEDAL-Iuniarra Sipaia

SILVER MEDAL-lesila Fiapule

3 Oceania Records - Tovio Ah Chong, John Tafi, Don Opeloge

1 Commonwealth Record - Don Opeloge