TONGA is off to a great start at the 14th Pacific Games in Noumea, New Caledonia after winning two gold medals, one silver and two bronze after day one of competition, on August 29.

Chef De Mission 'Amanaki Fakakovikaetau reported from New Caledonia today that Tonga's two gold medals came from bodybuilding.

The two gold medallists were Sitaniselao Tautalanoa in the 80kg category and Mateo Vaihu in the 85kg category. A third body builder Sione Fatai won a bronze medal in the 90kg category in the bodybuilding final.

Tongan swimmers also did well with 'Amini Fonua winning silver medal in the 200m breaststroke while 'Ifalemi Paea won the bronze medal in the 100m butterfly.

'Amanaki said unfortunately Tonga's female swimmer Carissa Panuve was not able to compete yesterday due to an injury to her leg. Semisi Panuve, the swimming team manager and coach was ecstatic with the boys' results.

The competition continues today August 30 and includes tennis team competitions for men and women, while the boxing and the swimming competition continues.

He said that the table tennis and athletics teams had just arrived in New Caledonia but the archery and taekwondo had not yet arrived.

The table tennis team forfeited to New Caledonia in yesterday's first game as they were stuck in Brisbane.

Tonga is now competing in 15 sports events in the 2011 Pacific Games.