Overview:
Palauan powerlifter Jaime Nagata has lifted herself onto the world stage. From a self-taught start in 2021 to a bronze medal at the 2025 IDFPA World Championships in South Korea, Nagata’s rise is a story of grit, discipline and record-breaking determination.
By: Summer Kennard
“I came in hoping to place in the top five, so finding out I placed third was incredible,” Jaime Nagata said, reflecting on a breakthrough moment that capped her rapid rise in international powerlifting.
KOROR, Palau (Dec. 18, 2025) — Palauan powerlifter Jaime Nagata earned a bronze medal in the women’s raw 90-kilogram division at the 2025 IDFPA World Championships on Dec. 14 in South Korea, securing a podium finish against an international field and marking a major milestone for Palau’s strength sports.
Nagata totaled 512.5 kilograms (1,129 pounds), lifting 190 kilograms in the squat, 100 kilograms in the bench press and 222.5 kilograms in the deadlift to place third overall in one of the meet’s most competitive divisions.
The result capped a four-year journey defined by persistence and self-belief. Nagata returned to the gym in 2021 after several years away, initially focused on improving her fitness. While learning strength training techniques, she discovered powerlifting and taught herself the fundamentals through social media, eventually designing her own training program.
Her competitive debut came in November 2022 at the 500/1,000-pound club hosted by the Civic Action Team, where she totaled 735 pounds. Nagata continued to progress through local competitions, reaching the 1,000-pound mark by January 2024.
In June 2024, she received full sponsorship from Stay Staunch Palau Gym and made her international debut at the Guam Powerlifting Federation Championship Series in the women’s raw 90-kilogram category. She won her division, was named Best Female Lifter and posted a total of 472.5 kilograms (1,041 pounds).
Later that year, Nagata self-coached at the USAPL Guam Island Strength Classic — Guam’s first sanctioned powerlifting competition — placing second in her category and second overall Best Female Lifter with a 485-kilogram (1,069-pound) total.
Her path to the world championships followed in July 2025, when a meet director encouraged her to apply for the IDFPA World Championships. Despite Palau not having a national powerlifting federation, Nagata was accepted and granted the opportunity to represent the country on the world stage.
“The competition was very close, and I didn’t know my placing until the end,” Nagata said. “It was an honor to compete alongside some of the strongest women in the sport.”
Beyond medals and totals, Nagata said powerlifting has reshaped her understanding of strength. “Strength is about discipline, resilience and self-improvement,” she said. “‘Glass ceilings are meant to be broken’ is a quote that really stuck with me. Every lift is a chance to challenge your limits and grow.”
Representing Palau internationally carried special meaning, she said. “I’m proud to have represented my country and showcase how strong our people are on the world stage.”
Nagata hopes her journey encourages more Palauans to enter the sport. “The best thing you can do is just start,” she said. “Be open to learning and surround yourself with people who push you to become better every day.”
Looking ahead, she hopes powerlifting continues to grow in Palau and eventually leads to the establishment of a national federation. “I truly believe our people are some of the strongest, and we can make an impact in the powerlifting world,” Nagata said.