Tonga’s para athletes (wheelchair), Siaosi Vaka, and Satua Ngungutau won three bronze medals between them at the Oceania Para Table Tennis Championships as part of the Arafura Games held in Darwin, Australia, on 1 - 4 May.

Siaosi won two bronze medals, winning his first in the men’s singles event last Thursday after losing to his Fijian opponent Kope Taubakao. He won his second medal in a team competition partnering with Timothy Shadrack from the Solomon Islands.

Satua won her bronze medal when she paired with Hayley Sands from Australia in the women’s Class 2 – 5 team competition.

A third athlete, Selemaia Loamanu didn’t come away with a medal after competing in the men’s standing class 6 – 10, which had the most entries in the competition. Selemaia said he was grateful for the chance to compete.

“The competition was very tough especially fronting up to Australia’s number 1 play in the opening round but I am very grateful for the opportunity to play at this level, I can only build and improve my game from here,” he said.

Tonga Table Tennis Federation said the team's experience in Darwin would provide a good basis leading up to the Pacific Games to be held in Samoa at the beginning of July.

The athletes return to Tonga on Tuesday, 7 May with their coach Ms Mako Kobayashi and a support staff member.

The athletes were supported by the Tongan Community in Darwin who also cheered for the team in their events. The Tonga government and business sponsors helped to support the team to attend the championships.