Pacific Games

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.

Rossi wins three Samoa 2019 badminton titles as Vanuatu prove Pacific powerhouse in table tennis

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.

Transgender weightlifter Hubbard beats home favourites at Samoa 2019 after driving incident revealed

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.

Golden farewell for Vanuatu beach volleyball star

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."

Home support inspires Samoan lifter Vaipava

Competing in the men's 67kg division, Vaipava snatched 125kg and clean and jerked 164kg for a total lift of 289kg.

That earned him three gold medals in the Pacific Games, as well as gold in the Oceania and Commonwealth Championships, which are also being staged in Apia.

The 31 year-old Vaipava last competed on home soil 12 years ago, when Samoa last hosted the Pacific Games, and says it was emotional for him to have his family in the crowd supporting him.

NZ win first gold medals at Pacific Games

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."

Manu Samoa 7s excited for home debut

The Manu are a fixture on the World Sevens Series but head coach Sir Gordon Tietjens said, after travelling across the globe, it will be really special for the team to play in front of their own supporters.

"It's really exciting - the players have never played here in Samoa and playing in front of their family and friends, after a pretty good year in the World Series, is pretty exciting for them."

"They're energised, enthused, they've had a little bit of time off but they've worked particularly hard in the last couple of weeks and they're looking forward to it."

Fiji’s Heleina Young sets her sights on her first Pacific Games gold medal

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.

Gold and silver for Norfolk Island bowlers

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.