If you had any doubt about the strength and power of Samoans, you only have to look over to Fiji where the 2003 South Pacific Games are taking place.

Powerlifter George Leafiifano has set a WORLD RECORD in the bench press hoisting an incredible 293kg. For those of you out there who are not metric freindly, that's 644.6 pounds. Insane!

The previous world record was held by some Russian at a mere 292.5kg.

"This is the happiest day of my life...this is the greatest acheivement of my career", said the exuberant Leafiifano.

Malo Galue, George!

<from the Samoa Observer)
World record
By Keni Ramese Lesa
08 July 2003

Suva - Samoa's George Lealiifano set a new world powerlifting record in the 125kgs class bench press competition yesterday at the Suva South Pacific Games.

The Yet Sen Hall at Suva was the scene of jubilant celebrations.

The old record of 292.5kgs held by a Russian was smashed by Lealiifano with a lift of 293kgs.

It came much to the delight of Team Samoa members who were present in numbers to urge on the 26-year-old.

"My dream has come true," the Falealili native said.

"This is the happiest day of my life and this has to be the best thing that I've achieved during my entire powerlifting career."

But setting the new record was painstaking as the Samoan had to endure two unsuccessful attempts to nail the lift.

In his first attempt at 265.5, he was unsuccessful although he managed to lift the weight comfortably.

In typical Samoan fashion, instead of decreasing the weight, George and his coaches opted to add more barbells to increase the weight to 285.2 in his second attempt. He nailed it without a sweat.

His third lift was a shot at the world record, which he accomplished within two attempts. His first attempt was given the thumbs down by the judges but Lealiifano was furious and protested for another try.

His wish was granted and the world record was up to Lealiifano for the taking.

"My whole life and the hard work I did flashed before my eyes in those few seconds," he said. "I had a really good feeling when I was going for the lift and to my surprise, it wasn't even that hard.

"It was easy work, man."

The crowd stood as the bar was raised.

Coach Vui Tapasu Leung Wai was ecstatic.

"This is our first ever world record in powerlifting," he said.

"We've been waiting for this moment for a very long time and this a great achievement for Samoan powerlifting and all our people.

"We are proud of what George has done here today and this can only be good for the Samoa."

International Powerlifting Federation judge Steve Lousich summed up well the feeling at the Yet Sen Hall.

"This is a great day for Samoa and it's a great day for the South Pacific Games," he said.

"To have someone like George set a new world record is a marvelous achievement and we are proud of him."

But despite setting a new bench press record, Lealiifano still had some work to do to win gold in his division.

He faced extremely tough competitions from Tahiti but the brave Samoan overcame the challenge to win with combined lift of 815kgs. Nauru's Jesiel Ivon won silver with a total lift of 780kgs.

Samoa's over 125kgs competitor, Faavae Faafue, won bronze in his division, finishing behind two Nauru lifters.

Samoa now has 10 gold medals after seven days of competition.