Pacific Games

New Caledonia grabs four golds in judo

In the women’s lightweight category, New Caledonia's Jaycee Brival took gold, her team mate Rosa Delots silver, and the two bronze went to NCL’s Cloe Omo-Perraut and Fiji’s Veniana Ravesi.

For the women’s heavyweight open, there was a surprise victory in gold for Shanice Takayawa of Fiji. Poerava Temakeu of Tahiti settled for silver and the bronze was shared by Tahiti’s Rauhiti Vernaudon and Teraimatuatini Bopp.

Samoa and Tonga reach tennis men's doubles semis

In the men’s doubles quarter finals, Tongan brothers Matavano and Semisi Fanguna upset second seeds, PNG’s Mark Gibbons and Matthew Stubbings, to progress to the semi-finals. An excited Matavano Fanguna said: ”This win means a lot. It’s our second Pacific Games but our first time to progress to the semis”.

Wallis and Futuna celebrate gold in men's javelin

Despite throwing four out of six foul throws at Apia Park Stadium, Vahai Sosaia’s two successful throws were comfortably the furthest of the session and he secured gold with a best effort of 62.41 metres.

Samoa’s Laurence Faapoi Tasi came second throwing 53.53m, and Papua New Guinea’s Lakona Gerega collected bronze, throwing 52.72m.

“I’m very emotional to get first place and very happy for today,” he told the Pacific Games News Service. “It has being a lot of hard work getting into the Pacific Games and it’s a reward for all the hard work along the way.”

Tonga one of six hopefuls to stage 2027 Pacific Games despite withdrawing as 2019 hosts

American Samoa, Fiji, Guam, Tahiti and Vanuatu have also lodged their interest with the Pacific Games Council (PGC).

The declaration of interest from Tonga is one of the most eye-catching of the potential contenders.

The kingdom was awarded the 2019 Pacific Games back in 2012, having seen off competition from Tahiti.

Tonga's Government withdrew from hosting the Games in 2017, citing financial concerns as the motive for the decision.

It led to the PGC reopening the bid process and selecting Samoa as replacement hosts in December 2017.

PNG super jumper Annie ToPal aims for gold

The 23-year-old is based in the US where she trains, but is back in the Pacific to compete in three separate events at the Pacific Games.

She surprised everyone at the 2015 Games to win bronze in the triple jump, but she’s hoping the medal she walks away with in 2019 is gold.

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO LISTEN TO ANNIE TOPAL'S EPISODE:

Vanuatu’s female para-athlete Ellie Enock aims high

Discovering sport has changed her life and Ellie is now one of Vanuatu’s best shot putters and javelin throwers.

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO LISTEN TO ELLIE ENOCK'S EPISODE:    

Ana Kaloucava- Fiji’s fierce flyer

At 15 she stunned Fijians with her speed and flexibility and she quickly became one of the top athletes in the Island nation.

Now at 26, Ana Kaloucava is still racing to get her first ever gold medal in the Pacific Games.

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO HAVE A LISTEN TO ANA KALOUCAVA'S EPISODE:

https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=392835 

 

Tuitupou creates biggest upset to win two gold medals for Tonga

He caused the biggest upset after beating 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medalist David Liti from New Zealand and silver medalist Lauititi Lui (Samoa) to win two golds for Tonga in the highest division (Over 109kg) of the weightlifting competition.

The 25-year-old won Gold in the Clean and Jerk category and the Overall category, and a Bronze medal in the Snatch category.

 Tuitupou and fellow underdog Malachi Fa'amausilifala (Samoa) took full advantage of failed lift attempts by the favourites David Liti and Lauititi Lui.

Athletics headline Week 2 at the Pacific Games

Medals will be dished out today in the men's javelin, women's shot put and the men's 3000m steeplechase, while the heats for one of the glamour events, the men's 100m, will also unfold at Apia Park.

Netball, touch rugby and shooting will also make their first appearance of the Games today.

Competition largely took a break on Sunday, as is tradition, although Pacific Games Council chief executive Andrew Minogue said they did have to make one exception.

World’s first transgender footballer proud to be ‘home’ for Pacific Games

After a break from the international sporting stage, she is back in action at the Samoa 2019 XVI Pacific Games, where her side are making headlines themselves.

On Friday, American Samoa ended a 36-year losing streak at the Games when they drew 1-1 with Tuvalu. It was the latest in a series of improving results for a team once branded the worst in the world after a 31-0 loss to Australia in a FIFA world cup qualifying match in 2001, and later made famous in an internationally released documentary film, Next Goal Wins.