Tonga's first entry to Winter Olympics [1]
Tuesday, October 8, 2013 - 18:45. Updated on Wednesday, October 9, 2013 - 15:30.
The Tongan Luge Association has announced that Tongan Luger, Bruno Banani has successfully qualified for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia. The qualification means Tonga will enter the Winter Olympics for the first time in history.
According to the Tongan Luge Association, the 25 year-old is currently ranked 24th out of the top 61 lugers in the world. His remarkable achievement is pronounced even further by the fact that he only started the sport of luge at the age of 21.
The Tonga Luge Association at its Annual General Meeting in Nuku'alofa on Monday, 30 September 2013, elected new Executive Committee Members: Patron, HRH Princess Pilolevu Tuita; President, Venusi Taumoepeau; Vice President, Lucy Anne 'Ilaiu; Secretary General, Leafa Mataele Wawryk; Treasurer, Manu Mataele jr; Legal Advisor, William Edwards; Committee Members, Takitoa Taumoepeau, 'Ahongalu Fusimalohi, Charles Sullivan and Elliot Latu.
The last time a South Pacific Island nation participated at the Winter Olympics was Fiji, represented by Laurence Thoms in alpine skiing at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.