Image caption: Kiribati Paralympian Ongiou Timeon makes history finishing eighth in his category at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games with a throw of 6.46m. Photo Credit: Oceania Paralympic Committee.
Pasifika TV Media Release
September 04, 2024
Pacific Paralympians make history in Paris
Kiribati Paralympian Ongiou Timeon set aside his nerves ahead of his debut shot put performance at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, to finish in eighth place, while making history at the same time.
Ongiou, who is vision-impaired, is the first ever Paralympian to represent Kiribati, and he proudly carried his homeland’s flag at last week’s Opening Ceremony.
His throw of 6.46m and eighth place in the men’s F11 event is testament to living with an impairment and playing competitive sport in Kiribati – shot puts are not readily available or the right weight is difficult to source.
Ongiou has overcome serious challenges to reach Paris and he hopes his efforts will inspire others in his home nation.
An impressive 13 Para athletes representing six Pacific nations (Tonga, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Kiribati) are in Paris, and have been competing across two sports (Para athletics and Para taekwondo), in 13 events over the 11 days of competition.
It is the largest team yet of Pacific athletes to have ever qualified for a Paralympic Games, signalling the continued rise of Pacific sport on the global stage.
The Solomon Islands have four Para athletes competing in Paris.
Cosmol Maefolia made his debut in the men’s F38 Javelin at Stade de France and achieved a season-best throw of 25.62m.
In the Para Taekwondo competition, Junita Tonowane also made her debut in the women’s 65kg division, however, was defeated by Denmark’s Lisa Gjessing.
Fellow Para Taekwondo athlete, Solomon Jagiri lost his battle against Iran’s Sadeghianpour Saeid in the men’s 63kg round of 16, and James Ingram Gegeu also lost his match-up against Ramazanov Aliaskhab of Russia in the men’s 80kg category.
Fiji’s Irene Mar came so close to securing a medal but lost in the battle for bronze in the women’s K44, 57kg round of 16.
Papua New Guinea’s Manega Tapari won her first-round match in the women’s K44, plus 65kg event but lost her round of 16 match.
Meanwhile, Vanuatu’s Ken Kahu contested the men’s F64 javelin and threw a massive 52.01m – a new personal best and ninth placing.
There is still plenty of action to come before the Games close on Monday morning (NZT).
Vanuatu’s Ellie Enock is scheduled to compete in the women’s F57 shotput on Thursday night, followed by Fijian duo Selina Seau and Naibili Vatunisolo in the women’s F64 shotput.
Tongan Meleane Falemaka will be the last Pacific athlete to compete in the women’s F38 discus on Friday night.
The Games will close on Monday morning (NZ Time).
Pasifika TV has daily coverage of the Games – please check with your local Pacific broadcasters for more details about how and when to watch.
**Note – Coverage excludes New Caledonia and American Samoa as broadcast rights for those territories are covered by France and the United States, respectively.
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