From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 3, November 2002.

Feeling it, living it and loving it, was the catchline, for Tonga’s second Aerobics Extravaganza, held in September.

Doing it, with overwhelming enthusiasm, was a crowd of 1,584 participants, including Tonga’s Minister of Health, Viliami Tangi, who had caught the wild aerobics fever and were unstoppable during the five day event, which could be described as Tonga’s greatest party ever.

When rain forced a venue change from Teufaiva Stadium to the ‘Atele Indoor Stadium the participants were jammed shoulder-to-shoulder with each other on the floor, with 35 teams determined to beat the other and win a share of the $10,000 in cash prizes offered by the sponsor, Western Union, Tonga.

The competition started with several days of warm up events beginning on September 30, and filling the Queen Salote Memorial Hall in Nuku‘alofa. During the final night on October 4, the colourful and hilariously-dressed teams competed for the prizes.

The first prize of $3,000 was snatched by the Molisi Tonga Tigers, one of whom appeared complete with spots, tails, fur and practically everything else a tiger needs. The second prize of $2,000 went to a group of well-built wardens from Hu‘atolitoli Prison, and the third prize of $1,000 went to Maui Kisikisi Team from the Ministry of Police. There were also eight special prizes of $500.

The best team introduction was won by Lavengamalie Hurricanes, the best novelty costume was won by FIFA girls; most participants in a team went to Move For Health from Vaiola Hospital; most popular team was Five Star Travel; most diverse team was the Pacific Royale Hotel; best costume went to Kolotau Ko Hule from Nukunuku; best team effort to ‘Uta‘atu Associates & Friends; and the most enthusiastic team was the Tonga Development Bank’s Team, ‘Silver Jubilee’.

Robina Nakao, CEO of Fund Management Ltd, brought in a team of seven aerobics instructors from Les Mills New Zealand, “the number one fitness centre in the world,” to lead and judge the event. Robina was reluctant to say exactly how much her agency, Western Union Tonga, had put into the promotion this year, but admitted that it had cost over $50,000.

“It was well worth it,” said Robina, “I was overwhelmed—and humbled. When you organise something like this you don’t know if people are going to respond,” she said. Now, the outer islands want to send teams to the next Extravaganza, so she will make it an annual event. “I don‘t want to lose the momentum.”  In following years Robina plans to travel to the USA, New Zealand and Australia to attract teams from the overseas Tongan communities there. “It is important, because our customers support us so loyally, and we are looking for ways to give back,” said Robina, whose other major sponsorships include the Tonga Music Festival held in June. “The whole aerobics thing is inspired by my own personal experience of the benefits of exercise, both physical and psychological. There is so much doom and gloom out there, it was great to see everybody happy for a change. They were all there as equals working together for the same cause.”