From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 18, no. 2, August 2003.

Kefilini Tu‘alau (19) and Margaret Tupou (25) are ground-breaking pioneers in Tonga Heavy Weight Lifting. The two women became the first women ever to represent Tonga in the Super Heavy Weight Division during the 2003 Commonwealth, Oceania and South Pacific Heavy Weight Competition held in May.

Each had a different reason for wanting to become a heavyweight lifter.

Kefilini, a new-comer to the sport, said she began trying out in early February of this year merely to see if she could lift a bar.

“I was so surprised at how strong and good I was at lifting, so with Margaret’s encouragement and my own determination, I decided to keep practicing. Then the Commonwealth, Oceania and South Pacific Heavy Weight Lifting came up and I thought why not,” she laughed.

Manchester

Margaret, on the other hand, said she was one of the many supporters who joined the Tonga contingent for the Commonwealth Games held in Manchester, England in 2002.

“During the games I went and cheered for the Tongan men that were representing Tonga in heavy weight lifting. I felt such sadness to see that Tonga did not have one single female representing us in the heavy weight lifting in the women’s division, whereas other Pacific Islands had women representing them. So I made a decision that once I came back to Tonga I’d try out,” said Margaret.

Margaret and Kefilini both agree on one thing, although they did not win any medals during this year’s competition: “We were just happy to have represented Tonga, because we felt a special pride to hear Tonga’s name being called out when it was our turn to compete.

“It is such a pity that there is just us in the field. But I encourage girls that know they have the potential to have a go in heavy weight lifting, to come on over—because the larger the merrier,” said Margaret.

Kefilini and Margaret were preparing for the 2003 South Pacific Games.