Sanele Mao

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

Sanele Mao

Personal information
Nationality	Samoan
Born	(1985-09-09) 9 September 1985 (age 39) Vaotupua, Falealupo, Savaii
Years active	9 Years
Weight	93.18 kg (205.4 lb)
Sport
Country	Samoa
Sport	Weightlifting
Weight class	109 kg
Club	-
Team	National team
Coached by	Tuaopepe Asiata Jerry Wallwork
Achievements and titles
Personal best	220 kg
Medal record Men's weightlifting Representing  Samoa Commonwealth Games 2018 Gold Coast 105 kg Pacific Games 2019 Apia 109 kg Commonwealth Championships 2019 Apia 109 kg 2017 Gold Coast 105 kg Oceania Championships 2017 Gold Coast 105 kg 2019 Apia 109 kg 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

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