Humble Samoan teen earns Pacific nation second gold medal of the day with explosive display of power - 'I want to thank God'

A humble 17-year-old has doubled Samoa's gold medal tally at the 2018 Commonwealth Games after Kiwi favourite Laurel Hubbard withdrew due to injury.

Feagaiga Stowers took full advantage of Hubbard's misfortune, earning her nation a second gold medal of the day following Sanele Mao's triumph in the men's 105kg.

Stowers, who had been tipped for glory by her outspoken team coach Jerry Wallwork, if it weren't for Hubbard's participation in the 91kg plus event, totalled 253kg, 10 more than Nauru's  Amoe-Tarrant.

"I feel really really happy, unbelievable to get this gold, but firstly I am thankful to God," she said through a translator.

"I feel emotional, I feel really happy inside."

Stowers has only been lifting for around three years, and this was her first major international competition.

She wasn't thinking about gold going into the competition because of Hubbard, but even when the Kiwi dropped out after hurting her arm in her final snatch lift, Stowers continued to concentrate on her own game.

"I never thought to compete with her because of (her) high total, all she wanted to do was get a result and get a medal. After the snatch and she pulled out I just focused on doing my best on the platform and getting a medal."

Lauititi Lui could cap a golden day for Samoan weightlifting when he competes in the men's super heavyweight division tonight.

New Zealand's David Litii is also competing, as is Nauru's Commonwealth record holder Itte Detenamo.

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