Mr South Pacific - Stephane Matke (Tahiti)

Forty-two bodybuilders from around the Pacific region dazzled the Tongan public with their physical prowess at a crowded Queen Salote Memorial Hall last Friday night.

The 20th South Pacific Bodybuilding Championships had an international judging panel, with competitions held across various weight divisions and titles. It is the first time Tonga has hosted the South Pacific Bodybuilding Championships.

The ultimate title, “Mr South Pacific” was won by Stephane Matke of Tahiti.

“Miss South Pacific” was won by a Tongan, Telesia Fauonuku, while the highly anticipated competition for “Mr Tonga” was won by Alifeleti Peppard.

Miss South Pacific, Telesia Fauonuku.

Mr Tonga 2013-14, 'Alifeleti Peppard receives his trophy from Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala

Competing nations included Tonga, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Niue, the Cook Islands, Tahiti and New Caledonia. Tonga topped the medal tally with five gold medals.

In addition to the competition, a guest appearance and display by renowned Australian bodybuilder, Joshua Lenartowics, gave the Tongans a show of professional bodybuilding at its highest level.

Medal and title winners:

Mr South Pacific - Stephane Matke (Tahiti)

Miss South Pacific - Telesia Fauonuku (Tonga)

Mr Tonga - Alifeleti Peppard (Tonga)

Junior Body Building
Gold - Jekesoni Yanuyanudrua (Fiji)
Silver - Sefanaia Cakautini (Fiji)
Bronze - Peter Molemae (Solomon Is)

Masters Bodybuilding
Gold - Alifeleti Peppard (Tonga)
Silver - Dean Teiho (Cook Islands)

Open Men’s Under 65 Kgs
Gold - Mark Donald (PNG)
Silver - Amos Tokam (PNG)
Bronze - Emilio Keniroko (Solomon Is)

Open Men’s Under 70 Kgs
Gold - Sione Siale (Tonga)
Silver - Joseph Onda (PNG)
Bronze - Festus Vana (Solomon Is)

Open Men’s Under 75 Kgs
Gold - Soerjana Matthiew (New Caledonia)
Silver - Stan Tautalanoa (Tonga)
Bronze - Rexford Viyufa (Papua New Guinea)

Open Men’s Under 80 Kgs
Gold - Stephanie Matke (Tahiti)
Silver - Filimone Ma’u (Tonga)
Bronze - Lewai Tasi (Fiji)

Open Men’s Under 85 Kgs
Gold - Gilbert Foucalt (New Caledonia)
Silver - Stanley Bruneau (Tahiti)
Bronze - Aaron Enoka (Cook Is)

Open Men’s Under 90 Kgs
Gold - Manase Afuha‘amango (Tonga)
Silver - Aiveni Hakalo (Tonga)
Bronze - Manase Kaufusi (Tonga)

Open Men’s Over 90 Kgs
Gold - Sione Piano Fatai (Tonga)
Silver - Alani Latu (Tonga)

Women’s Bodybuilding
Gold - Misa Avefa (Papua New Guinea)
Silver - Frances Halafihi (Tonga)

Women’s Figure Competition

Tall Class
Gold - Telesia Fauonuku (Tonga)
Silver - Tamin Hemehema (Tonga)

Short Class
Gold - Farah Debhakta (Oceania/NZ)
Silver - Isabelle Davis (Niue)