Symone Tafuna’i crosses the 100m finish line ahead of French Polynesia’s Amy Valet and Estelle Short from the Cook Islands. Photo credit: Oceania Athletics.
Source: Oceania Athletics
Emotions were running high at day three of the Polynesian Track and Field Championships at The Trusts Arena in Auckland.
Integrated with the New Zealand Track and Field Championships and the Track Stars event on March 7, athletes competing in the Polynesian event have impressed, spurred on by the Kiwi competition.
Saturday night’s Track Stars event featured the Polynesian Men’s and Women’s 100m finals with Samoan athletes at the fore.
Back on track is Symone Tafuna’i, who crossed the line in 12.19 secs ahead of French Polynesia’s Amy Valet and Estelle Short from the Cook Islands.
It was an emotional night for Symone, who was racing for Samoa for the first time, having previously represented Aotearoa.
“It is so important to me to represent Samoa at the highest level,” Symone says.
With her dad Tupuola Ropati Tafana’i watching proudly from the embankment where Pacific teams had set up camp, Symone made a hugely positive comeback to racing after a two-year absence.
Symone Tarana’i and her dad Tupuola Ropati Tafana’i celebrate after Symone’s win in the Polynesian Women’s 100m event.
“I have the Queensland Championships coming up and I am finding my feet again – and having fun,” she says about what is next for her.
Samoan runners dominated in the Men’s 100m also, with Johnny Malua taking gold in 10.88, ahead of Falatunatuna Jr Solomona of Samoa and Tonga’s Titali Kolomalu.
As impressive as ever, World Championship bronze medalist Alex Rose of Samoa won the Men’s Discus event throwing 62.77m, and Tonga’s Ata Maama Tu’utafaiva was second in the Women’s Shot Put event.
Competition continues today from 9am (NZDT) at Trusts Arena as athletes compete for Polynesian titles alongside the New Zealand Track and Field Championships.
Visit the Athletics NZ website for full results.