Pacific Games

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.”

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.

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:

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:    

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 

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.

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.

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.

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.