Samoa’s Tuilefano wins gold in women’s discus throw
Nu’u Tuilefano of Samoa added to her Sol2023 Pacific Games women’s hammer throw gold medal by also claiming gold in the women’s discus at Honiara’s National Stadium on Wednesday night.
A massive 49.07 metre throw secured her top spot on the podium. New Caledonia’s Lesly Filituulaga won silver with a 47.49m throw while Fiji’s Brienna Rabakewa took bronze with a throw of 42.57m.
The discus throw event was contested by 13 participants on the first three attempts and, out of the 13, the top eight throwers made it to the last three attempts to contest medals.
“This is my second Pacific Games and I am amazed with my result here compared to my last Pacific Games, where I think I came fifth,” gold medallist Tuilefano told the Pacific Games News Service.
“Yesterday I was competing in hammer and I kind of tweaked my groin so the competition was a little bit challenging for me but I pushed through. I think I could have done it a little bit better.
“I just want to give praise and thanks to God. This journey has not been easy but to this moment I have worked hard to get in this position and it is not easy, but it was through hard work, dedication and patience.”
She added: “I dedicate this to all the children of Samoa and those children that could not be here or in the position I am right now, so I dedicate this to them and my family”.
Twenty-year-old silver medallist Filituulaga told the Pacific Games News Service: “I am very happy to have the medal to increase the total number of medals for New Caledonia, and also happy to represent my country.
“We still have other events coming up and that’s where I am trying to do better. I think I have a competition in France after the Games here, and it starts in February and I am trying to be one of those selected for the big events that will take place in Europe.”
Bronze medallist Rabakewa dedicated her medal to those who had helped her come this far.
“Most of it was for my family supporters. I qualified through my club competition and then from there I was able to join Team Fiji and then from there I qualified for the second trials in which they picked me for the Pacific Games,” she revealed.
Women’s field events continue on Thursday with javelin and triple jump.
By Meleseini Tufui, Delisha Koime and Amanda Su’ainiu, Pacific Games News Service
