AUS, NCL, TAH share golds on final day of judo

Australia, Tahiti and New Caledonia equally shared the six gold medals contested on Tuesday’s final day of judo at the Sol2023 Pacific Games.

Australia’s Anneliese Fielder came out victorious in the women’s 52kg, beating New Caledonia’s Joy Quemener to win her country’s first gold of the day, continuing Monday’s dominance. Vanuatu’s Priscilla Montouel claimed bronze in the same division.

However, it was a disappointing day for her Australian teammate Saya Middleton, who was in red-hot form in the individual events on day one but had to settle for bronze in the women’s open on day two.

“I am a little disappointed because I had a fantastic performance yesterday and I hadn’t been my best today, so I am a little disappointed but not too sad,” she said.

Speaking of her first Pacific Games outing she reflected: “I hope we’ll be invited back for the next Pacific Games, as it would be very nice to have another great opportunity in judo”.

In the women’s -48kg, Tahiti’s Ambre Popoff took gold, ahead of Vanuatu duo Veronica Tari who settled for silver, and Anna Bumseng who took home bronze.

New Caledonia’s Anais Gopea won the women’s open division, following her day one silver medal in the women’s 70kg.

In the men’s open division, New Caledonia’s Teva Gouriou won gold, defeating Australia’s Carstens Beyers in the gold medal match, with fellow countryman Jason Appavou settling for bronze.

Tahiti also dominated the podium in the men’s -60kg with Herve Tamaterai overpowering New Caledonia’s Mattéo Lepauvre.

The judo competition concluded with the mixed team event, in which Australia proved to be the strongest, beating New Caledonia in the finals.                     .

By Timothy Inifiri Jnr, Philip Robo, Liah Mason and Joyce Koiari, Pacific Games News Service