Limulaki Paluvai Davis (16), a competitive singles figure skater, is a member of the Houston Ice Theatre Skaters (HITS) Team that earned a world ranking last month in Europe.
Proud Dad, Mark Davis, told Matangi Tonga that in September 2023, the HITS team was selected to represent Team USA at the 2024 Nation Gold Cup competition in Bordeaux, France, from 20-28 April. The international competition happens every two years.
“They have been practicing for six months preparing for this,” he said.
“Her team won bronze in the competition. They are now the World Bronze medalist in Theatre on Ice, also known as Ballet on Ice to Europeans.
“She may have represented USA but she also represented Tonga very well,” he said. “She has embraced her Tongan heritage.”
US-born Limulaki is the youngest granddaughter of the late Kaveinga and FakaLimulaki Havea of Kolomotu’a, Nuku’alofa. Her uncle, Drew Havea, lives in Tonga.
Limulaki, one of two junior Captains on the team, in an interview, told Fox Sports fox26houston how important the event was for their team.
Training
Mark said that their daughter loves to compete and to perform in shows such as Nutcracker on Ice.
“Skating is her passion,” he said. “Limulaki travels about an hour one way to the rink from where we live and when she started getting serious about skating she asked to be homeschooled. We asked why? She said so she can have more time to train.”
He said Limulaki competes individually and trains 2-4 hours a day in addition to her HITS (Houston Ice Theatre Skaters) practices, and knows what her goals are. “The amount of work she and fellow skaters put into the every day training is incredible. …Not very many 16-year-olds stay so focused,” said Mark.
Limulaki will be a high school senior this fall and hopes to perform with Disney on Ice before heading off to college.
