Finally, it’s gold for Tuvalu

 THE XV Pacific Games saw history being made as 120kg division Tuvaluan powerlifter Telupe Iosefa won the first ever gold  medal for his country. 

Iosefa could not hold back tears  of his historic achievement during the medal presentation. 

His victory was all the more significant because of the inclusion of Australia and New Zealand in the Games.

His interpreter and radio journalist, Semi Lauti Malaki, said their trip to Port Moresby was by a ship to Fiji and by plane from Nadi and to Port Moresby.  

However, Iosefa had to travel by air from home to Fiji and then into Port Moresby. 

“We had to give him that special treatment from the start when we were trying our best to get to Port Moresby before the opening ceremony,” he said.

“We have given him that treatment and we are so proud for him to achieve that for himself and for our country.

“We know when the Games end and if none of our other athletes get a gold then he will be our national hero when we go back.”

Iosefa said his medal indicated a good sign for the future of the sport in his country.

“I can be the first gold medallist for our country and this is history for itself but I can feel that the time is right and there are more gold medals that will come for our country in the future.

“This gold medal shows that slowly Tuvalu is now going to the next level. What I have done now is I have made a way so that in the future other Tuvalu athletes can rise up to win more gold medals for our country.”

Malaki said in Tuvalu they did not have any television station and the only way he was updating people at home from Port Moresby was through radio.

“I know people back home will be so glad when I inform them about this and they will be waiting for us when we go home after the Pacific Games,” said Malaki.

Iosefa lifted a total gold medal lift of 805kg, followed by two Nauruan’s, Robert Kun (777.5 kg) and John Tsiode (745kg).