A dedicated group of six weightlifting athletes is currently engaged in an intensive six-week training camp at the Oceania Weightlifting Institute & Academy located in Apia, Samoa. Head coach Henry Elder has underscored the demanding nature of the program, aimed at those ready to elevate their performance.
The training regimen includes single sessions on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with the potential for double sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. This week, athletes are undergoing three training sessions daily on Monday and Tuesday, with start times at 5 am, 11 am, and 5 pm. Elder emphasizes the importance of precise execution in their training routines, instilling a sense of respect for themselves, their teammates, and the institution.
Currently, Fiji is the sole country represented at the camp, but athletes from Palau, Papua New Guinea, and the Marshall Islands are anticipated to join shortly. The camp showcases elite lifters from Samoa, including Commonwealth champions Sangele Mao and John Tafi, along with promising newcomers like Seine Stowers and Jack Opeloge.
In conjunction with the training camp, the Oceania Talent Identification Program (OTIP) will take place this week at the Tuanaimato Sports Complex. Designed for youth athletes aged 13-17, the program will focus on crucial technical aspects of weightlifting, highlighting classic lifts, correct exercise execution, and important themes such as safety in the training environment, the reality of drugs in sport, and ethical conduct. Della Shaw Elder, vice president of Oceania Weightlifting, will oversee the program, which will include participation from two emerging lifters from Fiji – Iowane Claude and Alina Fanifau – along with their coach Timothy Vakuruivalu.
As the camp progresses, athletes are becoming increasingly acclimated to the rigorous training atmosphere, fostering a strong sense of unity and determination among them. This initiative serves not only to prepare athletes for future competitions but also aims to nurture and develop the next generation of weightlifters in the region. With training set to conclude next month, all participants can expect a rewarding experience that could shape their athletic careers.