Volume 2, Issue 13 P.O. Box 1301, Apia, Ph: (685) 25033 Fax: (685) 26169 Website: www.oceaniasport.com “Samoa”

September 19th 2008 SASNOC Headlines: • Meet your Athletes for NEWSLETTER the CYG2008

• Mose Faatamala, Samoa’a Paralympian Meet your Athletes for the CYG 2008 for Beijing 2008 SASNOC www.cygpune200.com

• Aunese ran the race of The inaugural Commonwealth Vanessa Lui (16 years) his life Youth Games was held in Weightlifting: Women’s 63kg • Samoa Edinburg, , in 2000. The prepare for the World Mary Opeloge (16 years) second CYG was in Bendigo, Cup Weightlifting: Women’s 69kg Victoria, , in 2004. The • Samoa Champions at the 2008 Judo Nationals CYG is held every four years. Nine sports are on offer this year; Bob Pesalio (15 years) Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Weightlifting: Men’s 56kg • Commonwealth Youth The third games is scheduled to Team Golf Tournament Shooting, Swimming, Tennis, take place in Pune, India, a city in Table Tennis, Weightlifting and Five officials will also be the state of Maharashtra, and the Wrestling. accompanying the team to India, fourth is scheduled to take place in Samoa CYG Team Golf including Lupematasila Sam Te’o, Tournament, Faleata Douglas, Isle of Man, in 2011. SASNOC has confirmed entries the team Chef de Mission. 27 September in four of the nine sports on offer The Commonwealth Youth Games South Pacific BodyBuilding with many young medalists We wish our young athletes the Championships, Apia, SAMOA is for young people aged between entered from the 2007 South very best in their preparations for 2-5 October 16 and 18 years of age during the Pacific Games. The following Pune, and look forward to provid- Games, and this will act as a test athletes have been confirmed for ing you with more information event for the Commonwealth the 2008 Commonwealth Youth about this exciting opportunity for Games which will be held in 2010 Games to represent Samoa; our young athletes. in Delhi, India.

The III Commonwealth Youth Margaret Satupai (16 years) We would also like to advise you Games will be conducted from the Athletics: Shot Put, Discus, of the major fundraising event for 12th to 18th October 2008 in Hammer Throw this team, the CYG Golf Tourna-

Opening Ceremony for the Pune, India. Over 1,300 athletes Henry Satupai (18 years) ment that will be held Saturday Commonwealth Youth Games th 12 October and 350 officials from 71 countries Athletics: Shot Put, Discus, 27 September 2008 7am-2pm at will participate in these Games. Hammer Throw the Faleata Golf Course. Team Grand final Samoa Rugby

League, Apia, SAMOA registrations will be ST$300 which Sinapapa Sanele (16 years) 18 October The III Commonwealth Youth will include breakfast, lunch, Boxing: 48kg Light Flyweight Games is unique for its green green fees and the opportunity to RLWC’08 begins theme, which permeates all aspects Townsville, Australia Faamanu Aukuso (17 years) win many prizes! 25 October of the Games. A special drive is Boxing: 69kg Welterweight Contact Shelley being conducted by the game Burich to register Tennis: Men’s Singles organisers to create a "save the your team NOW Prince Matautia (15 years) tigers" campaign to promote aware- 774-7591 ness of the critical state of the Steffi Carruthers (15 years) Indian tiger. Tennis: Women’s Singles & Doubles Mary Opeloge, triple gold medal : Kim Carruthers (17 years) winner at the Tennis: Women’s Singles & Doubles SPG2007

SASNOC Newsletter: Volume 2, Issue 13

P.O. Box 1301, Apia, SAMOA Ph: (685) 25033 Fax: (685) 26169 Website: www.oceaniasport.com “Samoa” Page 2

Mose Faatamala: Samoa’s Paralympian for Beijing ‘08 MESC

Name: Mose Faatamala “The Games emphasize, the partici- activities for students with a pants' athletic achievements rather disability, through the Fiafia Sport Date of Birth: 20.8.1971 than their disability. The movement Program, which runs in over 56 Event in Beijing: Long Jump (Athletics) has grown dramatically since its first government primary schools and days. The number of athletes participat- special needs education settings Achievements: Representation at 3 Paralympic ing in Summer Paralympic Games has throughout Samoa. Games and other International increased from 400 athletes from 23 events, including the Arafura Games. Classification countries in Rome in 1960 to 3806 athletes from 136 countries in Athens The Paralympic Games It may be confusing to see so in 2004.” many categories for events at the The 2008 Olympic Games may Courtesy www.paralympic.org Paralympics, however this is due have been over for a few weeks to the classification system. Samoa Represented now, but the venues were in full Classification provides a good th use as the 13 Paralympic Games While the interschool sports carni- structure for competition between th were underway, September 6 - val for children with a disability athletes with disabilities. Whilst th 17 . was being held during the Teuila the classification of athletes can Festival, featuring the Paralympic appear complicated, basically The event is the ultimate sporting sports of Boccia, and athletes are classified to minimize competition for elite athletes with , another Samoan the effect of disability on the a disability and includes events for athlete was preparing for his third outcome of the competition. This the classes of Amputee, Visually Paralympic Games appearance. type of approach has traditionally Mose Faatamala competed Impaired, Cerebral Palsy, Spinal at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing been applied to sport in general, earlier this month Cord Injury and Les Autres ath- Mose Faatamala i.e. in boxing, weight categories representing Samoa letes. Les Autres athletes are those was Samoa’s only minimize the affect that a person's with a physical disability that does athlete to qualify body weight has on the outcome not fall strictly under one of the for the 2008 of competition. other five categories, such as Games during the Arafura Games dwarfism, multiple sclerosis or in Darwin, Australia in 2007. The The Classification assessment is congential deformities of the father of 4 beautiful girls, who hails carried out by qualified Classifiers limbs. from Salailua, Savaii, is coached by who have either a medical or Harry Keil and is supported in his sports technical background, and 20 sports were contested at the sporting pursuits by the Samoan experience with sport for people Beijing Paralympic Games Paralympic Association. In Beijing, with a disability. The classification including: Mose competed in the F46 Long procedure may vary from one Archery, Athletics, Boccia, Jump, jumping 5.28m to finish in sport to another and athletes with Cycling, Equestrian, Football, 9thplace, Congratulations on your disabilities are grouped in classes Goalball, Judo, , performance Mose! defined by the degree of function Rowing, Sailing, Shooting, presented by the disability as Swimming, Table Tennis, Sitting Working for the Ministry of observed during and outside of Volleyball, Wheelchair Basketball, Education, Sport and Culture’s competition. Wheelchair Fencing, Wheelchair Sports Division, as the Disability The National Stadium for the Rugby and Wheelchair Tennis. Sport Officer, Mose works to 2008 Beijing Paralympics, support schools in running known as the “Bird’s Nest” inclusive sport and physical

For more information on the Paralympics visit: www.paralympic.org or en.paralympic.beijing.2008.cn SASNOC Newsletter: Volume 2, Issue 13

P.O. Box 1301, Apia, SAMOA Ph: (685) 25033 Fax: (685) 26169 Website: www.oceaniasport.com “Samoa” Page 3

Aunese ran the race of his life www.hptcoceania.com

Aunese Curreen, who competed in the 800m Beijing. Aunese went into the race ranked at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, came into the 53rd of the 61 starters on a personal best Games without a background of hard competi- time. The fact that he finished with the 29th tions in recent months. However he ran the fastest time of the 58 finishers highlights the race of his life to finish sixth in his heat, magnitude of the run. To finish in the top recording a time of 1:47.45 which is a personal half of the field at an Olympic Games is a best, a new Samoa National Record and a marvellous achievement in itself. The Pacific Island Record. His previous best was top 24 went through to the semi-finals 1:47.72 that he set at the World Champion- – Aunese missing this by just five ships in Osaka last year. Aunese was not afraid places. to mix it with the others in his heat and ran in third place for most of the race. It was only in The four HPTC – Oceania scholarship the last 120m that the others moved ahead. A athletes who competed in the XXIX relatively slow first lap of 53 seconds worked Olympic Games in Beijing, including against Aunese running a faster time. Aunese’s Aunese have now completed their time beat some very accomplished 800m run- scholarships so we all look forward to ners in other heats seeing where Samoa's golden boy, including Lachlan Renshaw of Australia who Aunese Curreen will go from here. beat Aunese at the Australian National Cham- Aunese (far left) during his 800m heat in Beijing. pionships in March. Renshaw ran 1:49 in

Rugby League Samoa prepare for the ‘08 Event Polynesia With the 13th Rugby League Matches will be played throughout Scheduled matches for Samoa for World Cup starting in a matter of Australia, with the Grand final the ‘08 RLWC: weeks, Rugby League Samoa has being played at the Suncorp Toa Samoa vs many important dates coming up Stadium, on the 22nd of Penrith, : Friday 31 October to put into your calendar; November. This year will see 10 countries split into three pools; Toa Samoa vs. Launch of Toa Samoa RLWC Gear Paramatta, Sydney: Wednesday 5 Nov , NZ: 26 September POOL 1: Australia, ,

England, PNG Five local players are also still in the Toa Samoa RLWC Squad running to be selected for the Toa arrive in Samoa: 15 October POOL 2: , , Scotland Samoa; POOL 3: Tonga, Ireland, Samoa RLWC Sendoff & Corporate Dinner Taualagi Lepupa (Marist Saints) Apia, Samoa: 17 October For the past five Rugby League Tupu Ulufae (Marist Saints) World Cups, Australia has retained Junior Pouono (Vaimoso Giants) Grand Final Samoa Rugby League their winning streak. Ponifasio Vasa (Marist Saints) Apia Park, Samoa: 18 October Timothy Stowers (Chanel Roosters) The last Rugby League World Cup ‘08 RLWC Begins: 25 October was held in & The actual World Cup will run France in the 2000 with a record For more information visit the from the 25th of October through 16 teams entering. The 2000 Official Rugby League World Cup to the 22nd of November. Samoa RLWC was won by Australia in a website www.rlwc08.com Nigel Vagana captain of Toa Samoa RLWC ‘08 squad made their debut to the Rugby 40-12 victory over New Zealand. League World Cup in 1995. SASNOC Newsletter: Volume 2, Issue 13

P.O. Box 1301, Apia, SAMOA Ph: (685) 25033 Fax: (685) 26169 Website: www.oceaniasport.com “Samoa” Page 4

Samoa Champions at the 2008 Judo Nationals François Martel

The competition was fierce last But in the light weight division the 2008 Champion and Gold Saturday at the Faleata Multisport title was harshly contested where medalist: Xavier Martel Gymnasium where the best judo Allen Smith, Hycinthe Waterhouse Silver medalist: Allen Smith athletes in Samoa battled for the and Xavier Martel all put in excel- Bronze medalist: titles. This competition brought lent performances leaving the final Hycinthe Waterhouse together members of the Judo winning score to that absolute last Association of Samoa (JAS) fight- fight. The decisive moment of the Officials for the Championships ing for the titles of 2008 Samoa tournament was the win of Xavier included Samoan black-belts, Champion in the Light-weight and Martel over Hycinthe Waterhouse, Frank Stowers and Sonny James Heavy-weight categories. The who led the fight with an excellent Ah Kui in the corners, and Miss nationals were sponsored by the throw in the first minute, until the Saeko Matsuura, a JICA volun- Australian Sports Outreach last few seconds of the 5-minute teer, the Oceania World Cup Program through the Australian fight, when in an attack of the last Champion in 2005 and 3rd Dan High Commission in Apia, gasp, Xavier scored an important Black-belt as the referee for the 20 Polynesian Xplorer, Petroleum point (ippon) with a throwing fights of the championship. Presi- Product Supplies (PPS Samoa) and technique that Hycinthe could not dent François Martel, was the MC the support of the Oceania Judo counter. for the day, while Akapei Latu was Union, the Samoa Sports Facilities in charge of the scoreboard, Fight No.20 between Allen Smith (red) throwing Xavier Martel Authority and the Red Cross of All competitors displayed great timing and score sheets. Samoa. (white). Photo by François Martel sportsmanship. In the light-weight © JAS 2008 division, Brandon Sefo had to A kata demonstration was put The nationals were run on a abandon after dislocating a together by Ms. Saeko Matsuura Round-robin competition format shoulder in his fight against Xavier and Toshio Suzuki, to provide a to allow as many fights as possible Martel, but according to Akapei high quality display of classic judo between competitors giving the Latu, the OJU representative moni- techniques and show that judo, an athletes with most points the toring the tournament, “This was a Olympic sport in its own right, is championship title. well run tournament with excellent an ideal sport for all ages, males or techniques displayed by the com- females, and participants benefit petitors, and I can say, Samoa had In the heavy weight category, Iuma from improved flexibility, a good national championships – Sua convincingly defeated his coordination, balance and Congratulations to Samoa’s new reflexes. opponents with three ippons (full champions and all the athletes who winning points) and providing participated in this year’s event”. some superb techniques both in This is the first competition since throws and ground techniques. the 2007 SPG to be held in William Swerling also had good RESULTS: Samoa. For those interested in fights winning by ippon to both Jay Heavy –weight division (+81 kg) joining the Judo Association of Vaai and Edward Walter, only to 2008 Champion and Gold Samoa (JAS) for fitness training, to be beaten by Iuma Sua on the medalist: Iuma Sua competition or just for fun, please ground. Silver medalist: William Swerling contact Iuma Sua, JAS secretary at Bronze medalist: Jay Vaai [email protected] . Kata demonstration by Ms. Saeko Light–weight division (-81 kg) Matsuura and Toshio Suzuki

COMMONWEALTH YOUTH TEAM GOLF TOURNAMENT

3 players FALEATA GOLF COURSE per team @ SATURDAY 27th SEPTEMBER, 2008 ST$300 7.00AM — 2.00PM

Breakfast, lunch and green fees are inclusive of the quoted price per team

Register now at the SASNOC Office, Faleata ph 25033 or email: [email protected]

All Proceeds go towards ‘Team Samoa’ for the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games in India! SASNOC Newsletter: Volume 2, Issue 13

P.O. Box 1301, Apia, SAMOA Ph: (685) 25033 Fax: (685) 26169 Website: www.oceaniasport.com “Samoa” Page 5