As previously reported by RNZ from 2023 Pacific Games, Samoa has made significant progress, climbing from ninth to third place after the competition in Honiara on Tuesday. However, New Caledonia maintains its lead in the first position.
The competition will continue on Wednesday with various events such as archery, basketball, golf, rugby league 9s, sailing, swimming, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, and weightlifting.
Samoa’s rise in the standings is attributed to their success in the weightlifting competition, where Vaipava Nevo Ioane excelled. Nevo, a weightlifting sensation, secured three gold medals in the men’s 67kg division at Maranatha Hall. His remarkable performance included lifting 166 kilograms in the clean and jerk, 120kg in the snatch, and setting a new Oceania record.
Expressing his joy and gratitude, Nevo said, “I feel great and happy to represent Samoa, and I’m just thankful to the father above for the strength and also for all these victories in my career.”
John Tafi, another Samoan weightlifter, also contributed to the team’s success by winning three gold medals in the 73kg category and setting new Games and Oceania records.
Despite Samoa’s impressive performance, New Caledonia maintains its lead with 17 gold medals, secured in weightlifting, judo, and swimming. Australia is in second place with 11 gold medals. On the final day of judo, Australia, Tahiti, and New Caledonia each shared two gold medals. Anneliese Fielder claimed Australia’s first gold of the day in the women’s 52kg category by defeating New Caledonia’s Joy Quemener.
