Weightlifting

In a statement, the federation said achievements thus far were unbelievable making historical achievements for Vanuatu Weightlifting as well.

“We came 3rd in the Oceania region in the 102kg category. We also came 4th in Junior for the 87kg weight category as well as 10th in the senior women.”

“VWF would like to congratulate Thomas Wilbur and Ajah Pritchard Lolo for these very outstanding results and wish them the very best of Luck for this year 2023.”

The federation thanked coach Simone and everyone who supported VWF through sponsorships.

Coffa was inducted at a Special Congress of the International Weightlifting Federation held in Bogota Colombia this week.

He is the first person ever to be inducted to the IWF Hall of Fame for outstanding achievement in the field of coaching and his record is truly remarkable.

In a career spanning 57 years, Paul Coffa has

Toua will be in action at the Games in the women's 53kg category at the NEC Arena in Birmingham, England.

Weightlifting will begin its competition on Saturday local time.

"My aim is to do my best and hopefully win a medal, that is the number one priority going into this competition," Toua, who win silver in 2018, told the Post Courier.

"Whether I win a silver or a gold medal, it doesn't matter, the biggest thing is winning and making my family and the nation proud of my achievement."

He caused the biggest upset after beating 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medalist David Liti from New Zealand and silver medalist Lauititi Lui (Samoa) to win two golds for Tonga in the highest division (Over 109kg) of the weightlifting competition.

The 25-year-old won Gold in the Clean and Jerk category and the Overall category, and a Bronze medal in the Snatch category.

 Tuitupou and fellow underdog Malachi Fa'amausilifala (Samoa) took full advantage of failed lift attempts by the favourites David Liti and Lauititi Lui.

The Auckland teenager snatched 94kg and clean and jerked 112kg for a 206kg total, to win all three gold medals in the women's 76kg division.

It really does mean a lot because it just shows that all my hard work is paying off, at the end of the day, and I'm just very pleased with myself and all of my team members."

Among the outstanding stars at the Vanuatu Games is 17-year-old Samoan weightlifter Fegaiga Stowers, who set a new Commonwealth record in the women's 90kg class by lifting 108kg in the snatch, 131kg in the clean-and-jerk for a 239 kg total.

Papua New Guinea's Stephen Kari secured all three gold medals in the men's 93kg category by lifting 155kg in the snatch and 195kg in the clean-and-jerk.

International weightlifting referee Lilly Coffa, a trainer at the Oceania Weightlifting Institute in New Caledonia, says the athletes are ready for the Commonwealth Games.

Stowers, who is 17 years old, set a new Commonwealth record in the women’s +90kg, lifting 108kg in the snatch, 131kg in the clean and jerk, and 239kg overall.

An emotional Stowers wiped away tears of joy as she climbed atop the podium to receive her three gold medals.

Luisa Peter of the Cook Islands claimed silver in the snatch and overall, while Nauru’s Charisma Amoe picked up silver in the clean and jerk.

In the men’s 94kg, Kari secured all three gold medals on offer, lifting 155kg in the snatch and 195kg in the clean and jerk.

Samantha Hansen from New Zealand secured the gold medal with a score of 163 points, while Maria Liku from Fiji finished second with 158 points securing the silver and Kiribati’s Tiiau Bakaekiri claimed the bronze.

In the 75kg division, the gold medal was won by a woman with a name familiar to many in the weightlifting fraternity. Apolonia Vaivai won gold with a record 215 points, as Hayley Whiting from New Zealand took the silver with a score of 176 points with the bronze going to Australian lifter Philippa Torea Frances Woonton.

Cameroon Valdi Ahmed Njoya scooped the gold, Pakistan’s  Abdur Rehman taking silver and Opeloge settled for bronze.

Opeloge’s best in the Snatch was 96kg while his Clean & Jerk total points were  122kg. He received 218  as his final points.

Don nephew is a the youngest of the Opeloge family with two older brothers and sisters Ele and Mary Opeloge who have all represented and won medals for Samoa in the sport. Don said that he only started lifting weights this year and because his family is so involved in the weightlifting, he gave it a try.

Carlo in his report to the Pacific Games Council (PGC) Annual General Meeting in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea yesterday said swimming one of the major attractions at any Pacific or Oceania meet is not on the programme.

“We had discussions with the Pacific Games Council executives on deleting swimming, there’s also a big question mark on  weightlifting because you know the small countries would like to have weightlifting because its their medal winning event.”