Palemia Suli Tafiti
Compiled by Seti Matua at Samoalives News Alliance Bureau.
Bodybuilding is defined as
the development of the physique through rigorous exercise and diet, often for
the purpose of competition. Though the definition may ring true on the surface,
in its most profound aspects and to those who live the bodybuilding or fitness
lifestyle, it is a state of perpetual change of the entire being and existence.
It encompasses spirit and mind before altering the body.
Bodybuilders and fitness professionals are members of an elite and tight knit
group whose primary goals are to condition their own bodies while helping others
to realize their own fitness potential. Palemia Suli Tafiti is a member
of that community and lives the fitness philosophy with a lethal combination of
measured skill and steel nerves. Tafiti was introduced to the sport of natural
bodybuilding while attending Brigham Young University - Hawaii Campus. On a
chance encounter with then Physique Chairman for the United States Amateur
Athletic Union, Dave Davis, Tafiti and his twin brother Kapeneta caught Davis’
eye as they performed native Polynesian dances at the Polynesian Cultural Center
in Laie, Hawaii. Davis later approached the pair, firmly believing that the
brothers would do well in the sport. So much so, that upon his return to New
York, Davis sent the Tafiti brothers training and event information in the hopes
that it would entice them to train and compete. Palemia dismissed the idea
because he knew very little about the bodybuilding.
The prospect of being a bodybuilder was later rekindled when Palemia moved to
Utah and on a whim, attended the 1998 Utah Cup Bodybuilding Championships and
met eventual 300-pound winner Dmarko Blewett. “I congratulated him and solicited
his help,” recalls Tafiti. “ We have been great friends ever since and he’s been
a great help.”
Palemia, endearingly referred to as “Pal” by his friends, began the long,
grueling training regimen on his road to his first competition. He admits that
the diet and exercise were at first difficult to maintain considering a lifetime
of unhealthy eating habits. Time has proven to be on his side as his entire
approach to exercise and most importantly diet have demonstrated favorable
results not only in his well-being, but also in competition. Palemia asserts
that most of his preparation happens outside of the gym where consistency,
persistence, dedication and determination are the staple in every bodybuilders
vernacular.
Perusing Tafiti’s daily routine, I get an odd sense of frustration that my own
body would suffer brutally had I the courage to accept the rigors that Tafiti
puts himself through day after day. Palemia sets daily as well as long range
goals to achieve his prime competition physique. His meal routine alone is
enough to discourage even the hardiest stalwarts of fitness. Yet Tafiti believes
and readily promotes the opinion that anyone can live this lifestyle if they
really put their mind to it. A fact that he expounds on daily at 24Hour Fitness
where he works as a Certified Personal Trainer.
Resistance training, cardiorespiratory exercise, supplementation and rest are
all part of his routine, but he also credits his support system as a major
factor in his success. “My greatest idol is my father. He taught me not to limit
my potential and to be open to learning new things,” Palemia extols. In the
arena of bodybuilding, Tafiti is grateful for the advice and leadership of
mentors and peers such as Blewett, Chris Faildo, Skip La Cour, Larry Scott,
fellow Samoan gym rats, Lloyd Sapiga, Chris Ah Ching and as well
as his training partner Todd St. Thomas and manager Tariu Sa’u.
He also credits his background and upbringing. “Being Samoan and having been
raised in Samoa most of my life plays a big part in my drive to be the best,”
states Tafiti. He concludes by saying that, “it [being Samoan] has willed me to
be a better person and to strive to help others to be better.”
Tafiti will take that approach with him to his next competition on what he might
consider a hometown crowd. In October, he will compete in the Hawaiian
Islands Natural Bodybuilding Championships in Maui, a national qualifier for
the Naturals Olympia in Phoenix, Arizona in November 2002. Palemia will need at
least a second place finish in order to qualify, but he is aiming for number
one. Based on his recent outings, Palemia is definitely in the top tier of his
division but has yet to bring home the lucrative win. Tafiti’s dedication is
unquestioned and his current form is a testament to his commitment.
Palemia Tafiti makes weight training and fitness look easy. I’m confident that
in his next outing the weight and pressure of garnering the indescribable
position of being at the top of his class will finally be lifted from his
massive shoulders.
Competition Results:
Mr. Natural Utah 1999 – 4th Place (Middleweight)
Mountain States Natural Bodybuilding Championships (Regionals) 4th Place
(Middleweight)
Mr. Natural Utah 2001 – 2nd Place (Middleweight)
Mr. Natural Utah 2002 – 3rd Place (Masters)
Personal Details:
Name: Palemia Suli Tafiti
Birth date: 2 February 1967
Birth place: Fugalei, Upolu
Raised: Lotopa, Upolu
Parents: The late Pipi Tafiti Sione Suli (Salelologa and Iva, Savaii) and
Metuli Tavana Ah Chew (Saipipi, Savaii)
Education:Church College of Western Samoa (Pesega), Class of 1984;
Bachelor of Fine Arts, 1994, BYU-Hawaii; Teacher Training, 1996, BYU-Hawaii;
Certified Personal Trainer, 2002; Currently in certification for International
Sports Science Association
Siblings: Olevia Suli Tafiti (SLC, Utah); Dr. Namulauulu Vaafuti Gaugau
Tavana (Kauai, HI); Ah Chew Tafiti (Laie, HI); Eveni Suli Tafiti (SLC, Utah);
Lupeautino Fuimaono (Apia, Samoa); Olevia Silalelei Brown (SLC, Utah); Emisoi
Howman (Australia); Puluafi Tuleitoa Wulf (Auckland, NZ); Kapeneta Suli Te’o
Tafiti (Laie, HI); Sunema Moana Sevaaetasi (Am. Samoa); Margie Tafiti (Am.
Samoa); Faataualofa Tafiti Suli (Auckland, NZ)
Married to the former Kimberly Christiansen of Cottonwood Heights, Utah,
a graduate of Brighton High School, Salt Lake Community College and Utah State
University. A former Miss Salt Lake Community College (1992), and participant in
the 1992 Miss Utah Scholarship Pageant.
One child: Austin Faataualofa (5 yrs).
To learn more about natural bodybuilding, for contest details and information on
diet and fitness, contact Palemia
Tafiti.
For information on how you can highlight an outstanding Utah citizen, contact
Seti Matua at Samoalives News
Alliance Bureau.