Pacific Island athletes competing in the 2024 Paralympics in Paris have faced tough competition, with no medals won so far despite strong efforts in para-taekwondo and para-athletics over the weekend.
Seven athletes from the Pacific Islands competed on Saturday and Sunday, with Fiji’s Irene Mar coming closest to a podium finish. Mar, ranked tenth in the women’s taekwondo K44, 57kg category, had an impressive start, defeating Ukraine’s Yuliya Lypetska 25-3 in the Round of 16. But, she fell short in her next match against second-seed Gamze Gurdal and then lost the bronze medal play-off.
Papua New Guinea’s Manega Tapari also showed promise in the women’s K44, plus 65kg event. Tapari won her Round of 32 match 16-10 against Louisette Flora Rene Kimoto Martha of the Central African Republic but was defeated 35-6 by Spain’s Dalia Santiago Morena in the Round of 16.
Four athletes from the Solomon Islands also competed but were unable to advance beyond the early rounds. Cosmol Maefolia made his Paralympic debut in the Men’s F38 Javelin, achieving a season-best throw of 25.62 meters, but finished last in his event. Junita Tonowane, Solomon Jagiri, and James Ingram Gegeu faced tough opponents from Denmark, Iran, and Russia,
Last night, Vanuatu’s Ken Kahu fought hard in the men’s F64 javelin to record a personal best result of 52.01m but ranked him second last while Kiribati’s Ongiou Timeon made his debut at this Games but unfortunately ranked last in the men’s F11 shotput.
Ellie Enock from Vanuatu will 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.
Tonga’s Meleane Falemaka will be the last Pacific athlete to compete in the women’s F38 discus throw on Friday night.
The Games will end next Monday morning (Tonga Time).