'Cool, calm Sāmoan' culture helps Wesche claim historic silver

Maddison-Lee Wesche has credited her “cool, calm, Sāmoan culture” for helping her through a tumultuous shot put final and claiming New Zealand’s first track and field medal at the Paris Olympics.

The final at Stade de France saw Germany's Yemisi Ogunleye take gold overcoming Wesche with an extraordinary last-round throw, while defending Olympic and world champion China's Jiayuan Song claimed the bronze.

Following the emotional performance, Wesche broke down in tears answering PMN Olympics correspondent James Nokise’s question about what this result would mean to her late father Hans, who is of Sāmoan descent.

“I’m proud to be a Sāmoan girl in New Zealand and my Dad isn’t here with us anymore and to make his culture proud is something I'm super happy about.”

Wesche's second-round throw of 19.58m kept her in the lead for some time before Ogunleye jumped into the lead in the fifth round.

Wesche responded immediately, with a personal best of 19.86m in the penultimate round.

The Kiwi was in the gold medal position before Ogunleye's final throw of 20m jumped her into the top spot. Wesche's final attempt of 19.68m meant she had to settle for silver.

Wesche admitted the final rounds of competition were nerve-wracking but added that the pressure is something she likes to embrace.

“I love competing and I kinda like those nervous butterflies before I step into the circle.”

Her message to other young Sāmoans watching her win is, “Have pride in your culture and keep that cool calm Sāmoan culture in everything you do".

The 25-year-old’s silver medal sees her following in the footsteps of Dame Valerie Adams who won two Olympic gold, a silver and bronze medals.

New Zealand has now stood on the women's shot put podium for five Olympic Games in a row and Wesche says she’s “super happy” to be adding to Aotearoa’s legacy in the sport.

Tonga weightlifter David Liti is representing New Zealand for the second time at the Olympics and he will compete tonight in the men’s 102kg category.

Team Pacific has the lone Fiji rugby sevens silver medal.

The Paris Olympics end on Monday, NZ time. Find the official medal tally here.

PMN's Olympics coverage is proudly brought to you by the Pasifika Medical Association Group.