Martha Taumata Faavae
A weightlifter who started out as a volunteer in the Pacific Games held in Samoa won gold in his first international competition.
The 17 year old Duncan Laulua was over the moon when he learnt that he has won a gold medal in the online weightlifting competition organised by the Oceania Weightlifting.
“ It has never entered my mind that I would win a gold medal in my first tournament,” an excited Laulua told Newsline.
“ I was taken by complete surprise when I was told at the end of the competition that I am a gold medallist in the 2021 Pacific Islands e Weightlifting tournament.”
“ My parents were very emotional. They cried and I cried. I could not believe that I won gold. I was overwhelmed with joy.”
The former student of Faleata College was drawn into weightlifting by his uncle who is married to the famous weightlifting Opeloge family. His uncle asked him to be a volunteer in the Pacific Games.
Laulua was inspired to join the sport by the attitude of the local weightlifters during training and when competing.
“ As a volunteer I was impressed with the attitude of the weightlifters during their training. They did not wait for their coach to come but they would train by themselves and just carry out the instructions given to them. I suppose that contribute to their success. They were also very dedicated to their training even without Tuaopepe there,” Laulua told Newsline.
Laulua said he was persuaded by the Opeloge family to join weighlifting and at first he was hesitant because he thought it was not the sport for him. But when he started training he found out that he could actually lift.
He started training last year and this tournament was his first since he joined weightlifting and the result he received has surprised him. For this he is thankful to his coach and his family.
He is thankful that through weightlifting he is able to contribute to the upkeep of his family.
Laulua said he receives $200 allowance every week from weightlifting to help their families.
Laulua is aware that to win medals one has to train hard.
“Training for the sport is hard but if you want gold you must be committed to your training. We train two times a day-at dawn and in the evening. It’s an individual sport so the onus is really on you to be dedicated to your training.”
Weightlifting is life changing for Pesaleli.
“ My diet has changed. I watch the food I eat. I do not eat anything I like to eat now. Also I have to rest well after the training sessions. Also I have little time to hang out with friends. In the past I spent a lot of times with my friends and ate whatever food that was offered in their famiies. My life has changed a lot.”
Laulua is thankful to his parents for their support. “ They give a word of advice when we have evening devotion. They tell me I must believe and to have faith that I will win gold whenever I compete. Also nothing is impossible with God.”
It is his dream to do his utmost best in weightlifting so that he could provide a house and car for his parents.
Laulua competed in the 81 kg and there were 51 competitors from the 16 countries.