Makeleta Piukala Stephan has become Tonga’s first representative to compete at the World Skiing Championships in Falun, Sweden.

The thirty-six year old Germany based skier competed in the 1.4 km Women’s sprint. She was placed 93^rd out of 95 competitors in her event completing the track in 10 minutes and 54.67 seconds. The other two unranked as a result of disqualification or not starting.

The inexperienced Makeleta suffered a fall during the race but completed it nonetheless becoming Tonga’s first skier to complete the prestigious competition.

Makeleta who speaks fluent German told the Deustche Press "The fall makes me very sad ... (But) The people were really nice and really pushed me. I almost cried – It was very tough. I thought 'what am I doing here' but then I just wanted to get to the finish ... Now I will prepare for future races. This was a first experience."

Despite her disappointment, Makeleta has won praise for representing the Kingdom. Her success follows up on Bruno Banani’s participation at the Sochi Winter Olympics last year and represents a growing trend of Tongan winter athletes.

Makeleta is a member of the Royal Tonga Ski Federation. The aim is to send a Tongan athlete to the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in South Korea.