Outstanding performances headline 2025 Weightlifting NZ National Championships

The 2025 Weightlifting New Zealand Senior & Junior National Championships delivered an exceptional finish to the year, highlighted by record-breaking performances from two extraordinary wāhine toa.

Olivia Selemaia, recipient of the New Zealand Olympic Committee’s Yvette Williams Scholarship, claimed the women’s 69kg title with a commanding 224kg total. Her 125kg Clean & Jerk set a new Oceania, New Zealand Senior, and New Zealand Junior record, an achievement that underscores her rise on the world stage.

In the women’s 86kg category, Litia Nacagilevu produced a 234kg total, breaking the Commonwealth, Oceania, and New Zealand Junior snatch record with an exceptional lift of 110kg.

Both athletes capped off a defining year in which they finished 8th (Selemaia) and 9th (Nacagilevu) at the IWF Senior World Championships in Forde, Norway just six weeks ago. They will now take a well-earned break before beginning preparations for the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

A total of 104 athletes (67 women and 37 men) took to the platform at the Due Drop Events Centre, showcasing the depth and momentum of Olympic Weightlifting across Aotearoa. Weightlifting New Zealand was also proud to host guest lifters from New Caledonia and Vanuatu.

Kevin Lee Kui Thin, President of the New Caledonia Weightlifting Federation, praised the event:
“A huge thank you for the warm welcome and for everything during the New Zealand Championships. Congratulations to you and the whole team - the event was truly fantastic. Our team had a great time and we’re really happy with the results we achieved.”

The Championships marked a fitting conclusion to a milestone year for Weightlifting New Zealand. Focus now turns to Glasgow 2026, with the final Commonwealth Games qualification event set to take place in Samoa at the end of April.

A highlights video can be found at the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/LTA4K2A1Y_k