Sanele Mao (born 9 September 1985)[1] is a Samoan weightlifter.

Sanele Mao
Personal information
NationalitySamoan
Born (1985-09-09) 9 September 1985 (age 39)
Vaotupua, Falealupo, Savaii
Years active9 Years
Weight93.18 kg (205.4 lb)
Sport
Country Samoa
SportWeightlifting
Weight class109 kg
Club-
TeamNational team
Coached byTuaopepe Asiata Jerry Wallwork
Achievements and titles
Personal best220 kg
Medal record
Men's weightlifting
Representing  Samoa
Commonwealth Games
Gold medal – first place 2018 Gold Coast 105 kg
Pacific Games
Gold medal – first place 2019 Apia 109 kg
Commonwealth Championships
Gold medal – first place 2019 Apia 109 kg
Silver medal – second place 2017 Gold Coast 105 kg
Oceania Championships
Gold medal – first place 2017 Gold Coast 105 kg
Gold medal – first place 2019 Apia 109 kg
Silver medal – second place 2016 Suva 105 kg

Mao is from Vaitele and Falealupo.[2] He initially pursued a career in bodybuilding, representing Samoa at a competition in New Caledonia and winning silver.[2] In 2012 he switched to weightlifting. He participated at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in the 94 kg event.[3] He won the silver medal at the 2016 Oceania Weightlifting Championships, lifting a total of 335 kg.

Mao won Samoa’s first gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.[4] Mao won in the final of the 105 kg men's division during the Weightlifting on day five of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games at Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre.[5] In 2019 he competed at the 2019 Pacific Games, winning three gold medals.[6] In 2020 he won the men's division in the Oceania Weightlifting Federation Online Cup.[7]

Major competitions

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Year Venue Weight Snatch (kg) Clean & Jerk (kg) Total Rank
1 2 3 Rank 1 2 3 Rank
Commonwealth Games
2014   Glasgow, Scotland 94 kg 125 130 135 170 177 180 305 9
2018   Gold Coast, Australia 105 kg 150 154 154 1 200 206 211 1 360  

References

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  1. ^ "Sanele MAO". Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  2. ^ a b Vaelei Von Dincklage (1 January 2021). "SPORTS PEOPLE OF 2020: Sanele Mao". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Weightlifting at the 2014 Commonwealth Games - Sanele Mao". iwf.net. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  4. ^ Josh Reich (9 April 2018). "Gold for Samoa! Weightlifter Sanele Mao victorious in men's 105kg at Commonwealth Games - 'I fought for me and my country'". TVNZ. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  5. ^ "Golden day for Samoa and Fiji at Commonwealth Games". Stuff. 10 April 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  6. ^ Thomas Airey (13 July 2019). "Sanele Mao breaks Oceania, Commonwealth records, wins three Pacific Games medals". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  7. ^ "Samoa's Sanele Mao wins Oceania Weightlifting Online Cup". Loop Samoa. 8 December 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
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