By Katalina Siasau

Meleane Falemaka, a first time Paralympian, is the only para-athlete representing Tonga at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. She will compete in the Women's F38 Discuss on Friday, 6 September.

Meleane Falemaka carried the Tongan flag at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, on Wednesday, 28 August, joining over 4000 para-athletes paraded along the iconic Champs-Elysees, to the Place de la Concorde, in Paris.

She is accompanied by coach, Tevita Vake and Chef de Mission Siosifa Pomana.

“Meleane has shown dedication and resilience in her preparation up to this point and we are confident that she will make Tonga proud with her performance,” said Maliu Mafi, President of the Tonga National Paralympic Committee.

“The TNPC believes that we can change lives in Tonga through Para sport. We are part of a worldwide social change movement, which uses the power of sport to positively influence community perceptions of people with disabilities and to promote a more diverse and inclusive society,” Mafi said.

Meleane missed out on the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games due to strict travel restrictions relating to Covid-19, where Tonga and other Pacific islands withdrew their participation.

The 2024 Paralympic Games will conclude on 8 September.

Pacific Paralympics team

There are 13 Pacific Para-athletes, seven female and six male, who will compete in the Paralympic athletics and taekwondo.

The Pacific team includes Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea,  Kiribati, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands.