Proper training programs have been implemented for the six weightlifting athletes currently participating in a rigorous six-week training camp in Apia, Samoa.
According to head coach Henry Elder, the training at the Oceania Weightlifting Institute & Academy is extremely intense and not for the faint-hearted.
Athletes typically have single training sessions on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with occasional double sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
Elder mentioned this week, the training has commenced with three sessions on Monday, Tuesday, starting at 5 am, 11 am, and 5 pm, respectively.
“The primary focus of the training camp is on the proper completion of training programs, exercises, sets, and each repetition,” said Elder.
“Respecting oneself, the team, the program, the institute and all its rules, regulations & requirements.
“Also importantly is understanding why we are here at the Institute, the money spent on us and the absolute need to perform and produce results.
“Athletes are slowly adapting well to the Institute and all the programs. At the moment Fiji is the only country here however Palau, PNG & Marshall Islands will be coming in a couple of weeks.
He adds the camp features elite lifters from Samoa, including Commonwealth Champions Sangele Mao and June Luniarra Sipaia, 2024 Men’s 71kg Commonwealth Champion John Tafi, Women’s Youth World Silver Medalist Seine Stowers, and 2022 Commonwealth Silver Medalist Jack Opeloge, the brother of Commonwealth & World Junior Champion Don Opeloge.
The high-powered camp provides a competitive environment where top lifters push their limits daily.
“This week Samoa will host the OTIP (Oceania Talent Identification Program) program here at the Tuanaimato Sports Complex in Apia, the Home of the 2019 Pacific Games and now the Oceania Weightlifting Institute & Academy for one week.
“The program is for youth athletes from the age of 13-17 as will focus on technical aspects of weightlifting, such as the classic lifts, fundamental exercises, proper and safe exercise execution, safety in the training hall & gyms, drugs in sport, safeguarding and ethics.
“The program will be coordinated by Della Shaw Elder the Oceania Weightlifting vice president and head of coaching & research the Oceania.
“Two lifters from Fiji will be in attendance and that is 13-year-old Iowane Claude & 16-year-old Alina Fanifau & their coach/ chaperone is Timothy Vakuruivalu.”
The six-week training camp which began last week will conclude next month.
