Sports

Seine Stowers: First Samoan in Olympic Sports to Set 3 World Records

Seine Stowers is literally breaking into the Weightlifting world, setting 3 new world junior records at the Australian Championships in Melbourne.

Staff Reporters

November 19, 2025

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The Samoa Weightlifting Federation is celebrating another proud moment as 17-year-old Seine Stowers writes herself into the history books by being the first Samoan in an Olympic sport to set three new world youth records. Stowers won 3 gold medals and became the first lifter to set three world records at the Australian Championships in Melbourne Australia.

Lifting in the 77kg division, Stowers broke the snatch record with 107kg, surpassing the previous record of 106kg. She then smashed the Clean and Jerk world youth record with a total of 137kg, comfortably ahead of the previous world record of 133kg.

Speaking to Samoa Global News President and Coach of the Samoa Weightlifting Federation, Tuaopepe Asiata Jerry Wallwork. said he is very proud of the team’s performance in Australia, adding that the young record-breaker has set the bar high for the future of Samoa Weightlifting.

“Seine has proven herself once again, and this is the first time in the history of weightlifting a Samoan has set 3 new world records,” said the IWF Executive Board Member.

“Her flawless 6 for 6 performance has set her position as one of the most promising emerging lifters in the world.”

Seine joined the sport at the age of 14 in 2022 through her older sister, Commonwealth Games gold medalist, Feagaiga Stowers.

In an interview with SGN, Seine Stowers said she has found a sport that she really loves and paid tribute to Head Coach Tuaopepe for pushing her to become the person she is today.

“He is a strict coach, but he pushes us to our limits,” she said.

“I remember when I first entered the sport I was this shy girl with low self-esteem and self-confidence, but Tuaopepe challenged me, and all of us, to strive for greatness..

“I am able to achieve all that I have achieved because of our Coach and I want to thank him for believing in me, and for believing in all of us.”

This year has been a big one for Stowers. In May, she competed at the International Weightlifting Federation Youth and Junior Championship in Lima, Peru, where she won two silver medals and one bronze in the Women’s 76kg category.

In July, she also proved herself at the Pacific Mini Games, where she claimed 3 gold medals in the 77kg division, setting new Pacific Games records. In September 2025, Seine was part of Team Samoa that secured three gold and two silver medals at the Commonwealth Championships in India. Seine had achieved gold alongside Big Boy Sanele Mao and Iuniarra Sapaia.

At 17, Seine Stowers has made her mark and proved that she is one of Samoa’s up-and-coming stars in the sport of weightlifting, following in her older sister’s footsteps.

With her talent and determination, Samoa and the world can expect even greater things from the youngster in the future.

The Secretary General of the International Weightlifting Federation, Paul Coffa says Samoa is one of the strongest teams in the sport.

“I am very proud of Team Samoa’s efforts in the sport,” said the veteranIWF Hall of Famer who is here in Samoa this week to help train visiting athletes from around the globe.

“I also commend Jerry (Tuaopepe) for never giving up on these young lifters despite the many challenges.”