Samoa's John Lautafi Tafi breaks record in Men's 71kg Weightlifting category at Glasgow 2026
On Day 3, July 27 2026, of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, John Tafi broke the record in the Men's 71kg lift
John Lautafi Tafi done his island nation of Samoa proud on Day 3 of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow when he took home the Silver medal for his home-country, and broke a record in the process.
The Upola-born strength athlete had a tough competition, facing off against the Commonwealth ranking leader in the 71kg Weightlifting category, Joseph Edidiong Umoafia. The Nigerian side ultimately took the gold, breaking two records of his own in the process in the snatch and total classifications.
John Tafi was determined enough to break the record in the clean & jerk 72kg category with a clean life of 172kg. Though with a double failure elsewhere in the session, failing on two 178kg lifts, and with his opponent lifting 5kg more in the Snatch, it meant that he could not over-lift Umoafia, ultimately taking second-place.
It's a disappointment for the 24-year-old Samoan to be sure, but still an achievement his country can be proud of. Following on from the the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Meyuns, Palau he won three gold medals and was named best overall male athlete - something he'll be looking to replicate at Amdavad 2030.
John Tafi has won Samoa's first medal of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, taking silver in the men's 71kg weightlifting competition in Glasgow. https://t.co/NJzYkyAKD6 pic.twitter.com/yuGLnlIEZR
— Samoa Observer (@samoaobserver) July 27, 2026
Tafi took home Samoa's first medal, and further elevated the small island nations world prestige in Weightlifting.