SUCCESS FOR SAMOA ON FINAL DAY OF POOL COMPETITION
“SAMOA” erupted from the crowds during a very busy day in the pool for Team Samoa, proudly represented across all 10 events on day 5 of competition, achieving 5 medals – 3 bronze, 1 gold and 1 silver.
The competition started strong today with Hector Langkilde securing the bronze medal in the 50m Freestyle Men’s Final, finishing in a strong time of 22.79, shaving 0.33 seconds off his time in the Heats.
It was no surprise there were beaming smiles all round on the podium after the 50m Freestyle Women’s event. The medal machine, Paige Schendelaar-Kemp stormed through the 50m Freestyle Women’s with a finish time of 26.59 taking her into first place and a well-deserved gold medal, making this her third gold medal of the competition.
Success continued for Schendelaar-Kemp on day 5, making the 200m Freestyle Women’s Final her next conquest, setting her sights on the silver medal. Finishing the event in 2:12.70, shaving just over 5 seconds from the Heats earlier in the day.
The medal tally for Samoa continued to grow, with Salani Sa’aga cruising her way to a bronze medal in the 100m Backstroke Women’s Final, finishing in 1:04.46. Making that Sa’aga’s 5th medal overall, achieving one silver and four bronze, and with the Open Water Swim still to go.
Another Final, another medal for Samoa in the 4 x 100m Medley Relay Women’s Final, with Salani Sa’aga, Nafanua Hamilton, Paige Schendelaar-Kemp and Talia Saumamao bringing home a bronze with a finishing time of 4:27.95.
We also saw Samoa proudly represented in the 4 x 100m Medley Relay Men’s Final, with Hector Langkilde, Johann Stickland and brothers Solomona and La’aui Hamilton competing, 4th fastest overall and finishing in 3:56.40.
Samoa’s success in the pool during the Pacific Mini Games has been nothing short of incredible, taking home six gold, four silver and eight bronze medals overall, making them an extremely well decorated team. We think it’s safe to say that their whole experience at the Pacific Mini Games in Palau has been unforgettable.
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Words & interviews: The Reporters’ Academy. Photos: Ryota Nishida