Archery and Para Table Tennis Lead Tonga’s Medal Charge in Palau
By Tonga Independent News | July 6, 2025 | Koror, Palau
Tonga has made a strong showing at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau, collecting 13 medals so far—two gold, six silver, and five bronze—with key events in athletics and swimming still ahead.
Most of Tonga’s success has come from archery, where Hans Arne Jensen led the way with two gold medals in the men’s recurve events. He also teamed up with Halamehi Tangulu for a silver in the mixed recurve. “We came in focused, and I felt strong from the first round,” Jensen said after his second gold. “We’ve been training for this since the last Pacific Games. It’s great to see it pay off.” Tangulu added, “We just trust each other out there. There’s a rhythm to mixed team shooting, and we’ve found ours.”
In the compound category, Luisa Pongi, Victory Pekipaki, Anna Fifita, and Esela Mounga added multiple silver and bronze finishes. While gold proved elusive, the results showed Tonga’s increasing depth in the sport. One athlete still searching for a podium finish is Ezra Mounga, who entered as a favorite in the men’s compound events but has yet to medal.
There was a historic moment for Tonga in para table tennis as Luani Moeakiola captured silver in the men’s para singles, becoming the country’s first-ever medalist in the sport. “I’m proud—not just for me, but for every para athlete in Tonga,” Moeakiola said. “This shows what’s possible when we’re given the chance to compete.” The result was hailed by Tonga’s Paralympic officials as a major step forward for inclusive sport in the kingdom.
In track and field, 17-year-old Manatu Hafoka claimed bronze in the women’s heptathlon—Tonga’s first athletics medal at these Games. “I honestly didn’t expect to podium,” she said. “I just wanted to finish strong, and I guess I did.” Several other young athletes, including Ofa He Lotu Matahina Tuifua, Sailosi Vea, and Maleselo Fukofuka, are still in the running with finals scheduled in the coming days. Tonga’s veteran thrower Ata Maama Tuutafaiva will also compete in the discus and shot put. “I’ve been here before,” she said. “The nerves are gone—it’s all about execution now.”
Weightlifting and swimming remain key areas of focus for Tonga, though the medal count may not grow there. Joshua Uikilifi, Tonga’s lone weightlifter at the Games, competed in the men’s 110 kg class on July 4. He finished fourth overall, lifting a combined total of 316 kg across the Snatch and Clean & Jerk—just outside medal position. While he missed the podium, his strong showing reaffirmed his standing as one of Tonga’s top athletes in the sport.
In the pool, Finau Ohuafi continues his campaign across several events, with finals in the 50m freestyle and 200m backstroke still to come.
Tonga’s beach volleyball team—Ti’o Fonohema and Sione Vaitafa—coached by George Kaituu, put in a gritty performance but did not make it past the group stages. “We were right there in a couple of those sets,” Kaituu said. “The gap is closing—we just need more court time and support.”
With several events left, Tonga’s final medal tally could still rise. “We’ve shown what we’re capable of,” said team delegation head Mele Latu. “Now we want to finish strong and bring a few more medals home.”
