Pacific Games

Strong performances during the early rounds of competition had seen Rossi advance to the men’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles finals.

He clinched victory in the men’s singles by overcoming New Caledonia’s Yohan De Geoffroy convincingly 21-11, 21-11.

Rossi was joined on the podium by his compatriot Louis Beaubois, who battled to an 18-21, 22-20, 21-17 win over Quentin Bernaix in an all-Tahiti bronze medal match.

The men’s doubles saw Rossi team up with Rauhiri Goguenheim to impressive effect, as they beat Bernaix and Tarepa Bourgery 21-16, 21-13.

Hubbard was favourite to win the gold medal at last year's Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast but had to withdraw mid-competition due to an elbow injury, which later required surgery.

Her appearance in the Australian city divided opinion as Hubbard - born as Gavin before transitioning in her 30s - entered a female event.

Hubbard was eligible to compete at Gold Coast 2018 because she passed the International Olympic Committee criteria for transgender athletes after proving her testosterone levels stayed below certain levels in the 12 months leading up to the event.

Pata and Sherysyn Toko prevailed 21-12, 21-18 on the Apia waterfront yesterday to win Team Vanuatu's second gold medal of the week.

The 31 year old Pata missed the 2015 Games when Vanuatu claimed the silver medal and said it was great to back up the gold medal she won in New Caledonia eight years ago.

"We are really happy to have back the gold medal and yes all our Ni-Van here they are really happy and excited to get back the gold medal."

The Auckland teenager snatched 94kg and clean and jerked 112kg for a 206kg total, to win all three gold medals in the women's 76kg division.

It really does mean a lot because it just shows that all my hard work is paying off, at the end of the day, and I'm just very pleased with myself and all of my team members."

The former Saint Joseph’s Secondary School student is determined to succeed in her 100m and 200m events.

“Preparation has been tough. “I’ve been competing in high school competitions and overseas too. As expected, it has been tough so preparation has to move up another notch. But other than that, everything has been going on well,” Young said.

She was recognised for her ability in running fast at a very young age.

Tracey Wora, Tassie Evans, Ann Snell and Petal Jones defeated Niue 16-13 in the women's fours final on Wednesday in Apia.

It's a first ever Pacific Games medal for all four members of the team and Jones, who was admitted to hospital on Friday with pneumonia before being released on Sunday in time for the start of competition, said it feels "awesome".

"And we've got a 77 year old lady (Anne Snell) - it's her first international and she's won a gold medal. She is rapt," she said.

The wet conditions and high surface traffic at Apia Park have contributed to the decision to move the venue to the stadium located on the western side of Apia.

The decision to relocate was jointly made with the International Federation Technical Delegate from World Rugby, and the Samoa Rugby Union in the interests of Player Welfare and Safety. 

Apia Park Stadium has been used this past week for the Opening Ceremony and Rugby League 9s competition. The Stadium is scheduled to host the sport of Athletics in week two of the Games. 

The women prevailed 16-4 in the gold medal match at Apia Park to become the event's first ever women's rugby league champions.

Fiji captain Timaima Ravisa opened the scoring with a breakaway try late in the first half and capped the result with an intercept try after the full-time siren had sounded.

An emotional Ravisa said PNG is a tough team to beat but they worked hard on defence and were able to capitalise on their opponents mistakes.

But on Monday in Samoa they made history on opposite teams, each captaining their country of heritage in the first ever women’s rugby league 9s competition at the Pacific Games.

Feterika led Samoa onto the field for the opening game of the tournament, hand-in-hand with Nati, who captained the Cook Islands.

It was an extraordinary moment for both women, the most experienced female players in the event alongside New Zealand teammate Luisa Gago, who is also representing Samoa. The other teams in the women’s competition are Fiji, Niue, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.

The 23 year old claimed six gold medals at Port Moresby 2015, however he was the silver medallist at the Games in the open water swimming. De Vos has managed to upgrade to gold here.

New Caledonia's Hugo Savignac and Benoît Rivière the silver and bronze respectively.