Woman boxer Magan Maka will be Tonga’s flag bearer at the XXI Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia next month. TASANOC announced yesterday that the 24-year-old will lead Tonga’s team of 13 athletes in the parade of nations on 15 April. The announcement comes a week after Government banned women's boxing from public schools.

Maka competes in the 69kg division of Women’s Boxing and represented New Zealand at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games where she lost in the quarter-finals of her division. Fellow team mate and female boxer Salote Huni, will compete in the 75kg division.

Tonga’s team will cover the sports of Boxing (5), Lawn Bowls (2), Swimming (2), Shooting (1), Weightlifting (1), Hurdles 110 Metre Sprint (1) and Shotput (1).

Tonga’s Athletes to the 2018 Commonwealth Games
Atamaama Tu’utafaiva (Women’s Shotput)
Talatala Po’oi (Men’s 110m Hurdles)
Magan Maka (Boxing, Women’s 69kg)
Salote Huni (Boxing, Women’s 75kg)
Tu’ihalangingie Vea (Boxing, Men’s 60kg)
John Moleni (Boxing, Men’s 69kg)
Samuela Kei (Boxing, Men’s +91kg)
Caroline Dubois (Lawn Bowls)
Malia Kioa (Lawn Bowls)
Henry Liutai (Shooting)
Charissa Panuve (Swimming Women’s)
Finau ‘Ohuafi (Swimming Men’s)
Sateki Langi (Weightlifting +105kg Men’s)

Traditional sport

Historically, Tongan women were noted for their boxing abilities. Captain James Cook who visited Tonga in the 18th century, was entertained with different styles of Tongan boxing and wrestling matches. He noted that "Not only boys engage in both these exercises; but it not infrequently happens, that little girls box with great obstinacy."

He also noted that "A couple of stout wenches next stepped forth, and without ceremony began boxing with as much dexterity as the men....Some of the champions of both sexes received blows which they must have felt the effects of for some time after."