Times Page 8
editor@nukualofatimes.tbu.to
SPORTS
E: sports@nukualofatimes.tbu.to
www.nukualofatimes.tbu.to
August 7-9, 2015
Nuku’alofa Times
Want TASTY, Hot Meals Visit Patrick’s Fiji Corner (In front of the old Ulutea Kava Club) or Samu’s Place (Digicel City Park) Curry Dishes, Chinese and Fast Food - Ph: 8741623
Team Tonga with supporters in Los Angeles last week (above) and silver medallist Tevita Tilini is all smiles after claiming his medal
Tomasi wins first Olympic Gold for Tonga
NUKU’ALOFA (Nuku’alofa Times): Lapaha man Tomasi Ma’asi has become the first Tongan athlete to ever win a Gold Medal at any Olympic Games. This follows his winning the gold medal in the men’s 100 metre final at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles, United States of America on August 2. Tomasi, who had won gold medals at the Pan Pacific Games in 2013, beat the rest of the field
to the tape in the 100m final after having being disappointed with his third place finish in the 200m final a day earlier. And the Team Tonga Special Olympians returned home with one gold medal, two silver and two bronze from the meet, which featured 6,000 athletes from 165 nations around the world. A proud Vanessa Heleta, the Director of Tonga’s Special Olympic Association was elated that all four of the ath-
letes won medals to take home and had experienced the spirit of the Special Olympics. “It’s all about acceptance and inclusiveness,” she said. “And we were overjoyed with the achievements made by the athletes, with each of them returning home with a medal. Tomasi is the exception with a gold medal and a bronze” Vanessa said Tomasi’s gold medal win in the 100m final was a special one.
“He was very determined to win after having lost the 200m final earlier,” she said. “When he won we just cried with joy. For Tomasi to beat the rest of the world in that race was a splendid achievement.” The win puts Tomasi on the history books as the first Tongan to ever win a gold medal at any Olympic Games. His teammates have also created history by winning medals in their individual events.
The other athletes included Tutaleva Fehoko, who claimed a silver medal in the 50m sprint, Tevita Tilini winning a silver medal in the men’s mini javelin and Fane Helu, who claimed a bronze medal in the women’s shot put. The Special Olympics was held from July 25 to August 2. Meanwhile, Vanessa has thanked all those who supported them in their preparation for the Games. She said their trip
would not have been made possible without the support of all their sponsors and all those who supported their fundraising drives here. She also thanked the Tonga Football Association for the availability of the training venues, including the Football Gymnasium at Veitongo. Football officer Lui Muavesi, himself a former Pacific Games and Oceania athlete for Fiji, helped trained the athletes at the Football Gymnasium.
PANUVE TOPS OFF GOOD WEEK WITH SECOND PERSONAL BEST It was suggested that this result may help with her per-
By MIKE MARRON
KAZAN, Russia (The Reporters Academy): Young Charissa Panuve is continuing to improve here at the Swimming World Championships in Kazan. First up on day five was the Women’s 100m Freestyle. Charissa Panuve was making her second appearance at these championships after a very successful first swim, where she broke the Tongan national record in the 100m Butterfly. The 20 year old was quick off the blocks and completed the first 50m in 31.07 seconds. And 34.58 seconds on her return gave her finishing time of 1 minute 05.65 seconds. Another personal best and nearly 3 seconds quicker than the time she clocked in Port Moresby at the Pacific Games. Needless to say, it was a tired but pleased Charissa who faced the press afterwards, “I feel very good, I got exactly what I aimed for in 1.05.6, so it went well. My turn off the wall was a bit messy but it turned out really good.” Previously, Charissa had commented on how the 100m Freestyle is a challenge for her.
ceptions of the event. She wasn’t entirely convinced, but indicated that it may be a small step in the right direction, “Yes, it’s a challenge and I like that. It tests my limits so it’s good for me. I’m glad to be back after my break.” One of her main aspirations is to swim at the Rio Olympics next year, as she mentioned; “ Considering the fact that I’m studying and training at the same time, I think I’m doing pretty well. I can do better, there’s so much room for improvement and I’m looking forward to what I can do over the coming year” We also asked for her reflections on these World Championships and how they compare for her personally, “This week has been so much better, my swims are so much better, I have become more mature so I know how to look at races and how to analyse them to see the little parts where I have gone wrong and where I can improve” Charissa Panuve appears to be growing as an athlete at major championships. She came into this week with an aim of breaking two national records. She left with one national record and two personal bests living up to her own selfconfessed motto, “strive for excellence, don’t quit.”
Charissa Panuve on the starting block