Samoan weightlifter, Don Opeloge still cannot believe that he won two gold medals and set a new record at IWF Junior World Championships in Suva.
The 20 year-old says he was not expecting to win any medals especially as he was competing with a lot of experienced weightlifters from around the world.
Opeloge made history after he secured Samoa’s first ever-gold medal in the competition with a lift of 193kg.
He set a new personal best of 198kg with his final attempt to also win the overall title by one kilogram from Iran's Mohammad Hosseini.
“Well, actually that was unexpected. I never knew that I was going to win that gold. But I was ready too at the same time before the competition started, I was hungry for that gold,”
“I was very excited when I knew that I was successful in my attempts and was told that I had won gold. And I was even happier when they told me that I had a new record,” he said.
“I dedicate the win to my family, my fiancé and my country.”
Like most of the other weightlifters, Opeloge is using the Junior World Championships to warm up for the Pacific Games in Samoa, next month.
“After winning gold here, I am more motivated to win in Samoa and also set new records in the event.”
The IWF Junior World Championship will end on Saturday.