25 March, 2019. The Samoa Weightlifting Federation (SWF) have selected an elite team to represent Samoa following an intensive two-week training in high class facilities in Kunming China.
Speaking to Samoa Global News SWF Coach Tuaopepe Jerry Wallkwork says he has been able to select a team after a two week training camp where there were few distractions given China’s national ban on social media.
“It was a great experience. It was cold but it was really good for the team,” he said.
“It was a proper training institute and we trained 2-3 times a day together with the Chinese team and it was an excellent environment for training.
“All we did was sleep, eat and train.”
Tuaopepe said it was a lot easier for the team to focus on training because social media and other sites were banned giving team Samoa a lot more time to train without the distraction of phones.
“It was good they were able to focus on their training for the full two weeks.”
“After two weeks of hard training I saw some very postive outcomes from our team as we prepare for a big year ahead; we have a lot of important tournaments this year;
“Almost everyone achieved personal best totals and when we had our last tournament with team China, 50 percent of our Samoan lifters actually won against the Chinese team.”
The President added this is a good result given that China is the best in the world.
Aside from the team’s preparations for the Pacific Games, they will also be participating at some major International tournaments and Olympic qualification events prior to the Pacific Games in July such as the Arafura Games in Darwin Australia, IWF Junior World Championships and Olympic Qualification in Fiji.
Samoa’s weightlifting team plans to hold another camp from the 29th March – 25th of June with a training program of three times a day, six days a week.
Here is your Team list:
Women:
Sekolositika Isaia
Loto Pereira
Leotina Petelo
Tuualii Ropati
Lesila Fiapule
Mary Opeloge
Feagaiga Stowers
Iuniara Sipaia
Men:
John Tafi
Tavita Leilua
Jack Opeloge
Peter Fatialofa
Maachi Faamausili
Vaipava nevo Ioane
Maeu Nanai Livi
Don Opeloge
Siaosi Leuo
Petunu Opeloge
Sane;e Mao
Lauititi Lui
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