Taekwondo

The cup, also the Taekwondo New Zealand Championships, is being used as a buildup for the Pacific Games.

The first gold medal for Samoa was won by the young Luisa Fulivai who competed in the Junior grade 1-2, red belt category.

The 17-strong team also picked up silver and bronze placings.

Pita Taufatofua, ranked 157th in the world, had an unfortunate pairing in the first round with the division's No 2 seed, Sajjad Mardani of Iran.

Mardani demolished Taufatofua 16-1 amid fans chanting "Tonga!" in the arena. Taufatofua described his opponent's attacking leg as "a nightmare" and said his slow start in the fight cost him.

He said he wasn't expecting the enormous reaction to his appearance in the opening ceremony and hinted that he might have something special - but quick - planned for the closing celebrations.