Tonga team for London Olympics [1]
Monday, May 14, 2012 - 18:11. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
Three Tongan athletes so far have been confirmed to compete in the 2012 London Olympics.
Takitoa Taumoepeau, the Secretary General of the Tonga Amateur Sports Association TASA said that the three athletes, 'Ana Pouhila, athletics (Women Shotput); Joseph Lui, athletics (Men's 100m) and 'Aminiasi Fonua, swimming (100m Breaststroke) will compete under wild cards entry. Wild cards enable countries which fail to produce athletes to meet performance requirements to send competitors to the Olympics.
Meanwhile, Takitoa said that three athletes are still trying to qualify, including another swimmer 'Ifa Paea in 100m breaststroke, who will be competing in Noumea at the end of this month. Also still competing, hoping to qualify for the Olympic are Hans Jensen Jr in archery and 'Ilaniume Finau in weightlifting.
The three confirmed Olympians will be accompanied to London by three coaches, Didier Poppe for shot-put; Nehemaia Kakaufaka'atu'i for the 100m runner and Jon Winters for the swimmer.
The other officials are: Chef de Mission, 'Ahongalu Fusimalohi; Dr Faka'osi Pifeleti, the team doctor; Alison Donnan, a physio; Wilfred Mula, the team attaché and Pesi Fonua, Journalist.
The Tongan team is expected to arrive in London on July 23, four days before the opening ceremony on Friday, July 27.