Great news is emerging from Oceania as two esteemed Olympic lifters have been appointed to lead their respective National Olympic Committees. Luisa Peters is now the president of the Cook Islands Olympic Committee, while Jerry Wallwork takes on the presidency of Samoa’s Olympic body.
Luisa Peters brings an impressive background, being a member of the IWF Athletes Commission and also serving on the IWF Executive Board. Her leadership extends to her role as Vice-President of the Oceania Weightlifting Federation and the President of the Cook Islands Weightlifting Federation. Peters, who actively competed in the Olympics in 2012 and 2016, also has notable participation in multiple Commonwealth Games.
Meanwhile, Jerry Wallwork has an extensive career in weightlifting, having represented Samoa at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and winning a silver medal at the Pacific Games in 1991. He currently serves as the Oceania Weightlifting Federation’s Senior Vice-President and has successfully coached Ele Opeloge to a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The election of Peters and Wallwork highlights the rising profile of weightlifting in Oceania, a region where several other key officials, such as Marcus Stephen from Nauru and Ed Imo from American Samoa, lead their National Committees. Their leadership is poised to further bolster the sport within the region.
Additionally, the recent inauguration of the Oceania Institute & Academy for Weightlifting reflects the commitment to developing athletic talent in the Pacific. This initiative aims to enhance athletes’ training and coaching, fostering a culture of excellence and unity among competitors.
These developments signify a hopeful future for weightlifting in Oceania, supporting the growth of athletes and the sport itself, and promising to leave a lasting positive impact on the community.
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