The return of bodybuilding, Impressive young lifters, and a Family affair at the combined competitions

The combined Niue Weightlifting, Niue World Powerlifting, and Niue Bodybuilding competitions were held last week as part of the week-long constitution celebrations. The competitions drew sixteen competitors, two of them competing in the bodybuilding event.

The sport of body building is slowly making a come-back two competitors this year. Jack Jnr Feleti(pictured) and Mosheena Ioane Jackson the only female competitor whose father is Reagan Ioane, one of Niue’s successful body builders and medallist.

Reagan Ioane is the president of Niue bodybuilding and is trying to revive the sport in Niue.

Only one competitor in weightlifting in fifteen-year-old Krysalin Sipeni, she lifted 63kg snatch and 90 kg in the clean and jerk, a total of 153 kg.

In the powerlifting event, which turned out to be a family affair with brothers and sister trio taking out the competition. Older sister Tamaryah Sioneholo won the women’s and her younger brother Moses Mautama winning the men, and their 12-year-old brother Aelani in third place in the men’s competition.

In the women’s is 25-year-old Tamayrah Sioneholo lifting 160kg in the squat, deadlift of 145kg a total of 305. In second place is 16-year old Matalina Okesene lifting an impressive 230kg combined total with a squat lift of 110kg and dead lift of 120kg.

And a mighty lift by12 year old Hanalei Kifoto to take up third place with a total lift of 170kg. Lifting 80kg in the squat and she lifted 90kg in the dead lift.

In the mens power lifting category Moses Mautama took out the competition with a total of 525kg, lifting 265kg in the squat and dead lift of 260kg.

In second place is 17-year old Jayden Ikitule lifting a combined total of 305kg, 135kg in the squat, and 170kg in the deadlift. And third place is Moses little brother 12-year old Aelani Mautama with his total lifts of 290kg, lifting 130kg in the squat and 160kg in the deadlift.

In the bench press open/masters level, Moere Makaniue bench pressed 140kg taking out the competition from Ikivale Kifoto with 110kg and Alan Puleoti with 90kg.

The event was very well attended, a promising sign for the sports of bodybuilding, powerlifting and with the president of the Niue Weightlifting Narita Viliamu Tahega (NCSS) winning one of Niue’s top honours will only do great things to lift the sport in Niue.