French Polynesia’s Elikai Manuel wins the Men’s under-18 Javelin at the Polynesian Track and Field Championships. Photo credit: Oceania Athletics.
Source: Oceania Athletics
Day one of the Polynesian Track and Field Championships saw a strong start to competition in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Polynesian Track and Field Championships opened yesterday (March 5) at Trusts Arena, bringing together athletes from across the region, as part of the New Zealand Track and Field Championships which will conclude on March 8.
Teams representing American Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa, French Polynesia, Tonga and Tuvalu began competition after a week of preparation at a development camp, delivered in partnership with Athletics New Zealand and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Day one highlights include Cook Islands athlete Antonia Wearing claiming gold in the Women’s under-18 Shot Put, throwing 11.58m.
French Polynesia’s Elikai Manuel took the win in the first Male Polynesian Track and Field Championship event, dominating the Men’s under-18 Javelin event, with a throw distance of 53.67m.
On the track, Team Samoa won the Polynesian 4x100m ahead of Tonga and French Polynesia; while Team Polynesia won the Women’s 4x100m ahead of Tonga.
Following the Men’s 4x100m win, Team Samoa says they had a few mistakes and made some unexpected changes but closed the gap at the end.
Team Samoa will return home to train for the upcoming Oceania Championships in Darwin.
Meanwhile, the French Polynesia Team says they are proud of their 4x100m victory, and grateful to have the opportunity to race.
Competition continues across the weekend at Trusts Arena as athletes compete for Polynesian titles alongside the New Zealand Track and Field championships.
Athletics NZ has partnered with Pasifika TV to deliver coverage in home nations, connecting these championships to the athletes’ families and friends back home. Keep an eye on the Pasifika TV schedule for coverage.
Free General Admission tickets for the March 7 Track Stars showcase are now available online, as well as spectator tickets for the remaining days of competition for the New Zealand Track and Field Championships, incorporating the Polynesian Track and Field Championships.
Fans can watch Track Stars from home live and free on TVNZ One or streaming on TVNZ+ or via Pasifika TV in the wider Pacific region.
Visit the Athletics NZ website for full results.