Special welcome for Tonga’s special Olympians [1]
Tuesday, December 10, 2013 - 18:15. Updated on Tuesday, December 10, 2013 - 18:35.
Photos by Linny Folau
Gold medalist, Tomasi Lolesio Ma‘asi with his father (right) and sister (far right). CBD Square, Nuku‘alofa. 10 December, 2013
The Tonga Team who won nine medals at the Special Olympics 2013, Asia Pacific Games last week in Australia were warmly welcomed in Nuku'alofa today with a celebratory march followed by a special ceremony attended by Crown Prince Tupouto‘a ‘Ulukalala.
Star sprinter Tomasi Ma’asi who won three gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 400m proudly led the march from the Tonga Red Cross Society office to the Digicel Christmas Tree Square in the Central Business District joined by the seven other athletes.
Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala accompanied by Crown Princess Sinaitakala were present at the square to celebrate the athletes' achievement together with families and supporters from Digicel Tonga, ANZ Bank, the Tonga Red Cross Society, Tonga National Youth Congress and the Special Olympics Tonga Association members.
The medal winners were:
Gold Medalist
Tomasi Ma’asi,100m, 200m and 400m (three golds)
Silver Medalists
Patiola Pahulu, bocce (two silvers),
Langalotu ‘Alofi, bocce,
Tangikina Soakai, shot
Bronze medalists
Pauli Ma‘afu, bocce
Tangikina Soakai, 100m.