Samoa biggest mover on Pacific Games gold medals ladder

Source: Sol2023 Games News Team.

22 November 2023: Samoa was the biggest mover on the 2023 Pacific Games Medal tally at the end of competition on Tuesday in Honiara, but New Caledonia remains in control at first place.

Team Samoa jumped from ninth position on the tally after Monday’s rounds to third into the second day of medals challenges.

They now sit with eight gold medals, one silver and one bronze for a total of 10 medals, two places behind leaders New Caledonia.

Gold medals from the weightlifting competition gave the Samoans enough to jump the ladder, with weightlifting sensation Vaipava Nevo Ioane leading the show.

Nevo made his return to the Pacific Games on Tuesday and showed just why he is among the best weightlifters in the region, sweeping all three medals in the men’s 67kg division at Maranatha Hall.

He lifted166 kilograms in the clean and jerk, adding 120kg in the snatch, while setting a new Oceania record.

“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,” he told Pacific Games media after his win.

He also set a new Oceania record in the process.

His fellow countryman John Tafi also added three golds on the day in the 73kg category and set a new Games and Oceania record as well.

Samoa’s other two gold medals came from young swimmer Olivia Borg and the women’s tennis team event.

More medals are being decided on Wednesday as the different competitions continue including archery, basketball, golf, rugby league 9s, sailing, swimming, table tennis, tennis, volleyball and weightlifting all continue their competitions.

Young swimmer Olivia Borg set Team Samoa going winning the first gold on Monday this week.