The next generation of Oceania’s champion weightlifters gathered under one roof to prove their skills at the Oceania Weightlifting Championships 2023.

Thursday was the opening of the Oceania Youth Junior, Youth and U23 championships. This was an opportunity for all young people in the region to come together in Samoa to showcase some of the best weightlifting athletes from within the Oceania region.

Numerous presidents from different weightlifting associations are also here in Samoa to witness the performance of their athletes. Close to 300 athletes and their coaches are in Samoa.

Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork was happy with the turnout of both athletes and their coaches and the competitive environment that has been created for his young athletes to experience.

“This is the next generation of champions and some of them are already champions in the senior divisions and are still juniors," said Tuaopepe. "For us, it is an honour to host everyone here, and we are looking forward to the next three days of really good competition and it’s going to be tough."

“Our team has been preparing hard and we also have a very young team. Ninety per cent of the team are 14 to 15 years old, some of them have only been training for five months and they’ve been training hard for five months."

Looking ahead and discussing medal prospects for Samoa, Tuaopepe said they expect some of them to win gold as they are natural talents and the current gathering in Samoa was the perfect time to showcase their talent. 

"This is the right time to showcase some of our young talent and also look at them for the Pacific Games and for next year’s Oceania championships," he said. “I thank everyone who has made this possible. 

"The Samoa Government, SASNOC [Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee], National Bank of Samoa, Pure Pacific Water, PacificAus Sports and others have made this possible. 

"We ask the country to come out and sport your team, it’s live on TV but we would like to see everyone here supporting them.” 

For the next three days, the weightlifters considered the cream of the crop in the region, will be competing at the Tuanaimato Sports Complex.