18 and unstoppable: Seine Stowers crushes records as Sāmoa hosts world weightlifting elite

Sāmoa’s new weightlifting queen Seine Stowers has turned the first-ever Universal Weightlifting Cup into her own personal party.

She celebrated her 18th birthday with a record-breaking performance on home soil, headlining the 2026 Universal Weightlifting Cup competition in Apia.

Competing in the women’s 77kg division, Stowers set new world junior and Oceania records with a massive 112kg snatch and 142kg clean and jerk.

She won four gold medals across the five-day competition, which ends on Saturday. Her performance also set 12 records across Oceania and Commonwealth junior and senior competitions held within the event.

The crowd at Tuanaimato Sports Complex went wild as the younger sister of Commonwealth Games champion Feagaiga Stowers proved the family legacy is in very safe hands.

Her mother, Maofa Lagaaia Vaeono, told Talamua Media that seeing her daughter succeed at home was a moment of pride.

Watch Seine snatch a new record below.

“Seine is continuing Feagaiga’s legacy,” Vaeono said. “She started her weightlifting journey at 14, and has always been honest and dedicated to her training.”

It isn’t just about the Stowers family, though. Sāmoa hosted over 500 athletes and coaches for a massive week of competition.

Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork, Sāmoa Weightlifting Federation president, says this tournament is a "major milestone" for the country.

Watch Jack Opeloge break senior records with this 214kg lift on Friday below.

“The Universal Cup is very unique, it’s the first time it’s been hosted, and if any world records are broken here, it will be the first time that happens in Sāmoa,” Tuaopepe told local media.

The world is certainly watching. Paul Coffa, the general secretary of the Oceania Weightlifting Federation, described the facilities in Apia as “the best of the best.”

He says the setup in Sāmoa now rivals the top international venues in the world.

Experienced lifter John Tafi from Sāmoa set a new Oceania record in the men’s 71kg division, proving why he was named best overall athlete at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games. Tafi lifted 140kg in the snatch and 172kg in the clean and jerk

Sione Sasa also secured four gold medals in the 88kg division, finishing with a combined total of 291kg.

While Sāmoa have dominated the medal tally, other Pacific neighbours are also making their mark.

Watch Pacific lifters earlier in the week.

The Solomon Islands secured six medals from a four-member squad: three gold, two silver, and one bronze, according to a National Sports Council statement.

Head coach Wendy Hale said the result reflects both the team's experience and its emerging talent. “Even though we are a small team, achieving six medals is something we are very proud of,” she said.

Fiji’s Israel Mario claimed gold in the Oceania youth category and silver in the Oceania junior division in the men’s 65kg class.

Atelina Vulakouvaki secured two bronze medals in the women’s 58kg events, while Etera Rabaua added a bronze in the men’s 71kg junior category.

For Stowers, there is no time to rest. She will compete in the women’s 77kg division at the IWF World Junior Championships in Ismailia, Egypt, from 2-8 May. Her dominant showing in Apia is viewed as a warm-up for a shot at the junior world title.

Her performance comes as Sāmoa hosts the first Universal Weightlifting Cup. This multi-tier international event also includes the Oceania Senior, Junior and Youth Championships and Commonwealth Junior and Youth competitions.

Watch the medal ceremony for the Oceania Junior women's category.

The event, officially known as the IBFC Universal Weightlifting Cup, is backed by a ST$700,000 (NZ$438,000) sponsorship from the government’s International Business Finance Centre.

International experts, including Dr Antonio Urso, a Testing Agency representative, said at a press conference that Sāmoa has developed into an Olympic-level weightlifting nation over the past decade, with consistent performances on the international stage.

With the way Seine and her teammates are lifting, it’s hard to disagree. The competition at the Tuanaimato Sports Complex in Apia ends this Saturday, 2 May.