Samoa’s Nu’u Tuilefano Throws Gold Record in Women’s Shot Put

Source: Pacific Games News Service

Honiara, 28 November, 2023: Nu’u Tuilefano from Samoa inserted her name into the Pacific Games history books after she shot to gold in the women’s shot put finals at Honiara’s National Stadium last night, setting a new Pacific Games record and personal best in the process.

She watched from the Sol2023 circle as the final 4kg shot she threw landed further and outside of the muddy spot where all the other throws had settled previously. The white flag went up, signalling that her final and biggest throw of 17.34 metres was legal, producing loud cheers from fellow competitors, the crowd and an ecstatic Tuilefano herself.

The proud Samoan broke the 18-year-old Pacific Games record of 16.92m set at the Palau 2005 Mini Games by Tonga’s ‘Ana Po’uhila.

Speaking to the Pacific Games News Service, Tuilefano said: “First of all, I just to want to say it takes heart to just pop one out. I know that ‘Ata Maama Tuutafaiva, Tongan shot put athlete and Samoa 2019 gold medallist came with her fifth-round throw which bumped me down second and I knew for my last throw, I had to come with all my heart. That last throw was everything in me and it was also my personal best, so I’m really glad I ended on that note.”

Winning gold also meant that she dethroned Tu’uatafaiva, Tonga’s women’s shot put gold medallist at Samoa 2019, bumping her into second place and silver.

Tuilefano who herself was the silver medallist at Samoa 2019, told the Pacific Games News Service that she was very satisfied with her performance on Monday and had a special dedication for her new gold medal.

“This is a very solid performance. I go to university in the States, and I didn’t have a really good season so to end on this is a good season ending. It means everything, not just for myself but for all the children of Palestine as well, the children of Samoa, my family and this is not just for me but for everyone who couldn’t be here at this moment. I’m blessed to be here and blessed to be in this moment. Just being here is a blessing and I thank God for this,” she said.

Team Samoa back to third in medal tally placings
Tuilefano’s gold helped put back Samoa on third position in the overall medal tally as the Pacific Games head into its final week.

Tahiti yesterday overtook Samoa at third place with 22 Gold 28 Silver and 36 Bronze. But Samoa fought back and claimed third position with 27 Gold 14 Silver and 12 Bronze.

Tahiti now lies fourth with 25 Gold 31 Silver and 37 Bronze.

New Caledonia maintains its lead with 63 Gold 41 Silver and  39 Bronze ahead of Australia in second place with 29 Gold 19 Silver and       11 Bronze.

Team Samoa’s biggest Gold Medal draw in the first week came from weightlifting with 15 Gold medals pedaling Samoa to third place at the end of the first week. Other than pushing the medal tally the Samoan weightlifters also set 4 new Pacific Games records and 3 new Oceania records.

Swimming pulled in five gold medals with four golds won by young swimmer Olivia Borg who also put in a silver and two bronzes and a gold from the swimming team event.

Samoa Rugby League is the only other Team sport that contributed a Gold medal in the games competition so far.

Medal Tally of Top Ten as of 28 Nov 2023