Samoa nails gold and silver medals at Commonwealth games

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In just less than a week since the events for Commonwealth Games 2022 kicked off, we are already seeing satisfying results from our Team Samoa. So far, on the Medal Tally Board, we have a total of two medals – one Gold and one Silver.

This is according to a statement issued by the SASNOC today.

Rugby 7s
Samoa has secured 5th place in the final placing of the Commonwealth Games Rugby Sevens
Tournament. After a great start with a win over England 34-0 in their first pool game, Samoa fell short of securing its 2nd win against New Zealand in their 2nd pool match. It resulted in Samoa losing 17-19 to NZ after leading in the 1st half with 17 points.

Samoa’s 3rd pool play was against Sri Lanka in which they were able to secure a win with
44-0. After Pool matches, they faced Australia in the Quarter Finals in which they suffered a loss with a 7-0 win in favour of Australia.

The boys in blue then moved on to vie for a chance to the 5th place against Canada, following a match against Scotland. Overall, the Rugby Sevens tournament has ended with Samoa ranking 5th place on the scoreboard.

Boxing – Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali –Over 86-92kg (Heavyweight)
First up for Samoa in Boxing was Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali. After the first 2 rounds, the judges were in favour of his Indian opponent. With much determination and supporters calling out and urging Ato to keep going, he came back strong in the last round which gave him a split decision win for the night over his Indian opponent.

He now moves into Quarter Final round for his division, on Thursday 4th August, time to be confirmed. Marion Ah Tong advances to the Quarter Finals after his win over Sri Lanka. His next the opponent will be Tanzania on Thursday 4th August.

Swimming
Day 2 at the 2022 Commonwealth Games saw Samoan swimmer Lushavel Stickland entering the 50m freestyle and 100m backstroke events. Coming to a touch off her personal best times, she reflected on the challenging morning session.

“It isn’t typical for these two events to be on the same day. While I knew it would be tough, I wanted to compete in both events.” Stickland bows out with a time of 30.46 for the 50m backstroke.

Day 3 resulted in Olivia Borg flying into the Semi-finals in the Women’s 50m Butterfly. Her final time of 27.37 resulted in ranking in the Commonwealth at 15th and breaking yet another national record. She made historical inroads for the Federation in being the first swimmer from Samoa to advance to semi-finals.

Earlier in the day saw Kokoro Frost perform a solid 50m Backstroke preliminary edging close to his personal best. “The competition is stiff especially in the 50m as the field has not only expanded but the times have drastically become faster”, reflects Frost.

Brandon Schuster entered the 100m freestyle coming shy of his personal best but hitting a season-best. Schuster explained, “every season brings challenges. And this season was no different. Getting out here and hitting the lanes with all effort is the best gauge to reassess and reflect.

Without these comps, our compass isn’t calibrated. We need to compete continually so we are on the right course.”

Weightlifting

First to take the stand was Vaipava Nevo Ioane who competed in the Men’s 67kg Division, and walked off with a Silver Medal. Addition to this achievement, Ioane set a new Commonwealth Games record in the Jerk of 166kg.

Next up was no stranger to the sport, Don Opeloge who lifted in the early hours of this morning (local time) in the Men’s 96kg Division, and secured the first Gold Medal for Samoa. Don Opeloge set 3 new Commonwealth Games records.

Jack Opeloge, John Lautafi Tafi, Petelo Lautusi and the only female weightlifter representing
Samoa at the 2022 Commonwealth Games Feagaiga Stowers are yet to lift.

Athletics

Athletics kicked off for our Athletic Squad with the Men’s 100m Heats. In Heat 2, Johnny Key bowed out with a time of 10:98 seconds. William Hunt scored his personal best of 10:78 seconds in Heat 6, but unfortunately did not make it to the next round. In Heat 10, Pesamino Iakopo bowed also bowed out with a time of 11:29 seconds.

Kelvin Savaiinaea Masoe competed in the Men’s Long Jump, and bows out with a 6.75 jump. He will also be competing in the Mens 4x100m Relay.

Alex Rose advances to the Finals for Men’s Discus event with a throw of 63.20m which placed him 4th in the qualifying round today. He is scheduled to compete in the Finals on Thursday 4th August.

In Women’s Shot Put Qualifying round, Nu’uausala Tuilefano threw a Personal Best of 16.10m in the qualifying round earning her a spot in the finals later on tonight (local time).

Kolone Alefosio scored his new personal best of 14:78 seconds in the first round for the
Men’s 110m Hurdles.

Judo

Our one and only Judo representative, Will Tai Tin, bows out in the elimination round of 16 to his tough opponent from Malaysia. Wrestling will kick off later this week.

The highlight of all the events so far, is hearing the anthem of our beloved Samoa being played on foreign grounds as our Golden man Don Opeloge receives his Gold Medal.

Another proud moment for our small island nation, was witnessing the President of the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee, Pauga Talalelei Pauga, present the Medals to the medalists of the Men’s 67kg Division for Weightlifting, including our very own first Silver Medalist for Commonwealth Games 2022, Vaipava Nevo Ioane.

It was a rare scene, but one for all Samoans to be proud of for such recognition on an
international level. Faafetai Samoa le nofo tatalo a’o alu tama fanau I faaga tama a le Taupulega. Thank you for the endless support and prayers for Team Samoa.