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Local youth powerlifters and bodybuilders showcase their strength and prowess

Stanley Iakopo and three of his five children
andrew@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Local junior and high school powerlifters and bodybuilders showcased their strength and prowess the weekend before Christmas Day at the Sauia Gym in Tafuna. This event marked the final domestic competition of the year, coordinated by the American Samoa Powerlifting Federation (ASPLF) and the American Samoa Bodybuilding Federation (ASBBF).

Six powerlifters from Kanana Fou, Leone and Tafuna high schools faced off against each other first on Friday December 20th, 2024 in the 5th Annual Junior/High School Powerlifting Championships.

The competition was fierce as the young lifters exerted every ounce of energy to outdo each other in the squat, bench press, and deadlift categories. Each participant demonstrated their strengths, excelling in certain categories while facing challenges in others.

In the end, it was Rodney Levi of Kanana Fou High School who clinched the gold medal with an impressive total lift of 1055 lbs. He achieved this remarkable feat by topping the Squat Category with a lift of 350 lbs, securing second place in the Bench Category with a lift of 250 lbs, and also taking second place in the Deadlift Category with a lift of 450 lbs.

The silver medal was awarded to Tana Sooa of Kanana Fou High School. He excelled in the Deadlift Category with an impressive lift of 500 lbs, secured second place in the Squat Category with a lift of 315 lbs, and claimed third place in the Bench Category. His total lift was 1040 lbs.

The bronze medal went to Jay Jay Maeva of Tafuna High School. He achieved a total lift of 945 lbs, finishing first in the Bench Category with a lift of 315 lbs, third in the Deadlift Category with a lift of 404 lbs, and third in the Squat Category with a lift of 225 lbs.

ASPLF/ASBBF President Leone Peter Reid III expressed his optimism at how many of the young athletes have embraced the sport.

"Most of these young male athletes discovered powerlifting while training daily at Sauia Gym after school," Leone revealed. "The sport depends on brute strength and I guess it's the intensity of the competition that appeals to them because the satisfaction you get when you win a medal is an awesome feeling.

"For those who don't succeed, they get motivated to prepare more in anticipation of the next meet. Moreover, not everyone who wins a medal gets the same results in the three categories of competition as was evident in this event. So everyone has a chance to shine if they prepare well physically and equally important, mentally. A successful powerlifter must believe in his or her abilities."

The last time the junior powerlifters competed was in April this year during the 5th Si'i Mamafa Powerlifting Championships where local senior powerlifters competed for the first time with their counterparts from Samoa, in a local competition sanctioned by the ASPLF.

President of the Samoa Powerlifting Federation (SPLF), Pepe Christian Fruean, who had brought three of his top powerlifters told Samoa News that he was very impressed with large number of young enthusiastic lifters of high school age, showing interest in the sport.

He pointed out that certain athletes have physiques more suited to powerlifting, weightlifting, or bodybuilding and emphasized the importance of nurturing these athletes' skills at the grassroots level. Consistent competitions will help expose them to international standards and hone their abilities.

Local powerlifting president Leone Peter Reid III echoed the sentiments of President Pepe Fruean, emphasizing that the ASPLF will intensify its efforts to recruit more young athletes.

"It is imperative that we promote the sport through our local education system so we can recruit young athletes in high schools whose bodies are starting to develop and teach them the basics of the sport," he stated. "As they progress in age and experience, we help them hone their skills so they can step up to the plate when the older lifters retire.

"Powerlifting, like any other sport, needs a pool of athletes from which we can select our national teams to represent American Samoa in international competitions. We have proven in the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands, that powerlifting can earn medals for the Territory, with four of our lifters winning silver and bronze in their respective divisions."

Leone pointed out that the 2025 Si'i Mamafa Powerlifting Meet is scheduled for March 29 and prize winners will be eligible to represent American Samoa in all the Oceania and International competitions for the year 2025.

The junior bodybuilders got their chance to shine on stage the following day, Saturday, December 21st, 2024, as six competitors flexed off against each other in the 6th Annual Junior/High School Physique/Bodybuilding Championships.

Despite their muscles not being fully developed and toned, the young bodybuilders posed like professionals, oozing confidence and charisma. This was thanks to the instruction and coaching by veteran bodybuilder and Mr. American Samoa 2024, Stanley Iakopo.

Three of his five children, sons Audiescott and Stanley Jr., were among the competitors in the male division and daughter Filomenaleonisa was competing in the female division.

After posing individually and as a group, the judges, Stan Efferding, nicknamed the 'White Rhino' during his days as a professional bodybuilder and powerlifter, and ASBBF Secretary Sala McMoore, who is also the only internationally qualified female judge in the Territory, tallied up their scores.

The gold medal was awarded to Paul One of ASCC, the silver medal went to Audiescott Iakopo of Samoana High School, and the bronze medal was claimed by Matthew Vui of Leone High School.

Mr. American Samoa 2024 Stanley Iakopo, as guest poser, performed his award-winning routine, which earned him his title, much to the delight of the audience.

Striding onto the stage like a robot to the sound of metallic footsteps, he reached the center where lively instrumental music began. He struck various synchronized poses, highlighting his well-toned physique with dexterity, confidence, and a dash of humor, eliciting cheers and catcalls from those present.

This was followed by his 18-year-old daughter, Filomenaleonisa Iakopo, who strutted her stuff in a bikini that highlighted her well-proportioned and well-toned physique.

The young veteran athlete, is currently American Samoa's Women's National record holder whose most recent claim to fame was representing American Samoa in the 100-meter dash at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

She was loudly and proudly supported by her mother Priscilla, her four brothers, her sister Annie Amosa-Lei Sam, and relatives who cheered her on.

ASBBF Secretary Sala McMoore commended all the competitors and stated that the sport has a bright future if they continue to chase their dreams and strive for excellence.

"Bodybuilding is another sport that will definitely earn medals for American Samoa in regional and international competitions," she declared. "Last year, two of our bodybuilders won unofficial medals only because there were not enough competitors in their divisions.

"It is very encouraging to see the enthusiasm of the younger generations in the sport, and we need to develop and nurture their skills, encourage them to train consistently, and adopt a healthy lifestyle because their physique depends on their training and what they eat."

She also thanked the athletes' parents and family members for their support and stated that their federation is looking forward to the new year to continue to develop their latest batch of powerlifters.