Commonwealth Games

Samoa begins campaign at the Commonwealth Games this week

The game between the two teams will kick off at 9pm (Local Time).

Later in the evening of the same day, Team Samoa will also be starting its campaign in aquatic swimming.

Next week Team Samoa will be represented in judo next Monday at 10pm (Local Time), athletics next Tuesday at 10pm (Local Time) and wrestling next Friday at 10.30pm (Local Time).

Team Samoa has 38 athletes competing in athletics, wrestling, judo, boxing, men’s rugby 7s, swimming and weightlifting.

38 athletes represent Samoa at Birmingham Commonwealth Games

Thirty-eight athletes are participating in athletics, wrestling, judo, boxing, men’s rugby 7s, swimming and weightlifting.

The team was farewelled on Monday, however not all the athletes were present due to precautionary measures taken by Team Samoa management to protect them from Covid-19 and the common flu.

Deputy Prime Minister, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio said, "The last Commonwealth Games took place in Gold Coast, Australia back in 2018 [where] Samoa had topped the Oceania performances with 2 gold and 3 silver medals [with] Samoa ranked 17th out of the 71 countries."

1,000 personnel to represent the Armed Forces at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022

Hundreds of Armed Forces personnel will be deployed to Birmingham to support the West Midlands Police Security Operation, the biggest the region has seen.

An opening ceremony on Thursday 28 July will mark the start of the Commonwealth Games, featuring many of the Armed Forces personnel who are in Birmingham for ceremonial duties, civil engagement or competing as athletes.

The Band of HM Royal Marines will provide a fanfare of trumpeters during the ceremony.

Team Samoa for Commonwealth Games named

The Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (SASNOC) says Team Samoa has been selected from local and overseas based elite athletes in seven sports - athletics, boxing, judo, rugby 7s, swimming, weightlifting, and wrestling.

The men's rugby sevens team and officials will be the first to depart Samoa today followed by the rest of Team Samoa a week later.

An official send-off will be held on Monday, where the Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio will offer words of encouragement, advice and blessing.

Fiji Rugby names squads for Commonwealth Games Sevens

The men's Sevens squad consists of six Olympic Gold medalists plus several from this year's World Rugby Sevens Series team.

Of those travelling, five were part of the Commonwealth Games in Australia four years ago.

Meanwhile, women's Sevens coach Saiasi Fuli has named a team that includes 10 bronze medalists from the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Veteran forward Rusila Nagasau will captain the side.

Men's coach Ben Gollings said he's confident for the Games with the talent he has been able to draw on.

Samoa’s weightlifters target Commonwealth Games record - despite two years of lockdowns

The success of Don Opeloge and Feagaiga Stowers, who have not been able to compete overseas for more than two years, helps to keep Samoa’s team on course for a record-breaking medal haul at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, due to take place in July and August.

Opeloge and Stowers won the best lifter awards at the Oceania Weightlifting Federation (OWF) Online Cup, a remarkable achievement given that they have been unable to take part in live competitions for so long.

Commonwealth Games tipped to return to Australia

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) have entered an 'exclusive dialogue' period with the state's authorities.

While a submission still has to be formally evaluated, Victoria is now likely to be officially confirmed as the host in April.

The Games would be primarily held in regional Victoria.

The news will come as a major relief to the CGF which had been trying to find a host to follow Birmingham.

Birmingham will stage the 2022 Games in July.

Samoa is first Pacific country to receive Commonwealth Games Queen’s relay baton

The baton rally is the Commonwealth Games' answer to the Olympic torch relay and makes its way around countries within the Commonwealth of Nations before reaching Birmingham where the Games will be held. 

The baton contains a personal message which was recently signed personally by Queen Elizabeth II. 

The relay begins at Buckingham Palace before undertaking a global journey with the baton passed from runner to runner.

The final relay runner hands the baton back to the Queen who will read the message aloud to officially open the Games

Samoa weightlifters qualify for Commonwealth Games

Nevo Ioane won the gold medal in the 67 kilogramme division and also set a new Oceania Record in the Clean & Jerk with a recorded lift of 165 kilogrammes. 

In the same division, 16 year old rookie Dunken Laulua won bronze. This is Laulua’s first time ever vying in an international competition.

John Tafi won gold in the 73 kilogramme Men's division and also set a new Oceania Junior Record.

All the senior lifters of the team are expected to compete on Sunday, which is the final day of the competition.

     

Weightlifter David Liti 'outstanding athlete' of Games

He was awarded the David Dixon Award, given out at each Commonwealth Games.

The award is based on an athlete's performance at the event, fair play, and overall contribution to their team's participation at the Games. It is chosen by the Athletes' Advisory Commission.

In a speech at the closing ceremony, the Commonwealth Games Federation President, Louise Martin said Liti exhibited great sportsmanship and consideration for his fellow competitors while competing at the highest level.

"I can't describe it - it's been a great Games and this just tops it off", said Liti