Tonga competes in six sports at 2022 Commonwealth Games [1]
Friday, July 29, 2022 - 16:00
By Linny Folau
Tonga is represented by 28 athletes at the 22nd Commonwealth Games, opened by Prince Charles in Birmingham, United Kingdom, this morning, 29 July (local time).
Flagbearer and captain of the Rugby 7's men's team Sione Tupou led out the delegation shining, as he keeps the shirtless tradition alive, (set by Tonga's world famous Tongan Pita Taufatofua in Olympic Games).
He was accompanied by Olympian weightligher, Kuinini Manumu'a in Tongan fine mats attire, leading the team at during the opening ceremony, at Alexander Stadium.
The Games will have 6500 athletes competing from 72 countries from July 28 to August 8.
Team
Team Tonga will compete in six sports including athletics, boxing, rugby 7’s mens (13 members), swimming, weightlifting and wrestling.
President Michael Bloomfield said the wrestling team will be Tonga's first competition in this sport at the Games.
The three male wrestlers are Aaron Leha’uli (125kg), John Vake (76kg) and Sione Sika (97kg) with Tiger-Lily Lemaie (68kg) in the women's category.
In weightlifting are Kuinini Manumu'a in the women’s (87+kg) category. She is the first Tongan to have qualified for the Commonwealth Games on merit. Sio Pomelilue (109kg) will be competing in the men's competition, after qualifications.
Tonga's men’s Rugby 7s team had also qualified through through Oceania competitions.
The team also has three boxers, all overseas based in the United States and New Zealand.
Bloomfield said there is high hope for Mele Ula in the women’s 75kgs division. In the the men's category are Halatoa Piutau (75kg) and Peni Tatafu (91kg).
In swimming, Tonga has four young swimmers that include Finau 'Ohuafi, who is competing in his second Commonwealth Games, after 2018.
The other three swimmers are Charissa Panuve, 'Alani Uhi and Vaoafi Afu.
In athletics, the team has 2022 Pacific Mini Games gold medalist, 'Atamaama Tu’utafaiva in shot put with Ronald Fili in the men's 100m sprint.
Bloomfiled extended gratitude for the financial assitance from Government through the Ministry of Finance and Internal Affairs (sports division), as well as the Australian Government, under its PacificAus sports program.
Meanwhile, the delegation includes Bloomfield, Secretary-General Takitoa Taumoeapeau, Team Physio, Tim Allardyce, Team Dr Faka'osi Piefelti and the coaches for each sport.