'Back even stronger': Fiji and Tuvalu boxers inspire Pacific medal chase in Glasgow

Fiji's Jasmine Daunakamakama says a Commonwealth Games bronze medal has only made her more determined to return stronger after sharing the ring with one of boxing's best.

The 57kg boxer was beaten in the semifinals by Northern Ireland's Birmingham 2022 champion Michaela Walsh on Friday.

Under Commonwealth Games boxing rules, both losing semifinalists receive bronze medals.

Despite the defeat, Daunakamakama said the experience had only strengthened her belief.

"It was a privilege" to share the ring with Walsh, she told FBC. "When I get back to Fiji, I'm going to work even harder, push myself, so I can come back even stronger."

Daunakamakama's medal was matched by Tuvalu's Tarona Khanum Badi Pasoni Taafaki, who also claimed bronze after losing her women's 75kg semifinal to India's Lovlina Borgohain.

Watch Tuvalu boxer Tarona Khanum Badi Pasoni Taafaki after her bronze win in Glasgow below.

For Taafaki, the medal was about more than standing on the podium.

"Everyone's that asking me my entire life where I'm from and I say I'm Tuvaluan, they don't even know where that is, if it's like Pacific country or African country," she told World Boxing.

"For Tuvaluans specifically I just encourage them to go out, do whatever they want, go make it big. Me being able to get a bronze at the Commonwealth [Games] should inspire other Tuvaluans out there."

Sāmoa's multi-time Olympian Alex Rose will contest the men's discus final at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, aiming to add another athletics medal to the Pacific tally. Photo/Oceania Athletics

The result continues a strong boxing campaign for Pacific nations in Glasgow, with medals already secured by Fiji and Tuvalu and more athletes still chasing podium finishes.

Attention now turns to another busy day for Pacific competitors.

Sāmoa's Alex Rose and Tonga's Penisimani Taeiloa will contest the men's discus final while Papua New Guinea's Jerome Bunge lines up in the men's shot put final.

Pacific judokas from Fiji, Sāmoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Nauru are also in action while Fiji, Tonga, Cook Islands and Niue continue their lawn bowls campaigns.

Meanwhile, Tonga signed off from its first Commonwealth Games netball tournament with a 63-53 win over Wales to finish ninth.

Coach Jaqua Pori Makea Simpson said the team's rise was already changing sport back home.

Tonga's Tala finish ninth after defeating Wales 63-53 in their first Commonwealth Games netball tournament. Coach Jaqua Pori Makea Simpson said the team's success is inspiring more young girls in Tonga to take up netball and sport. Photo/Glasgow2026

"Tonga have a proud history in rugby and we're very proud of our boys, but our young girls didn't have anyone to look up to," she said.

"In the past four years, since the tables started to turn for us on the world stage, everything has changed. Participation rates in Tonga have gone through the roof.

"So many more young girls are playing Netball - and not just Netball, but sport (generally)."

Goal shoot Uneeq Palavi, who scored 49 goals against Wales, summed up what the win meant for the Tala.

"I feel like this is a gold medal for us," she said. "We were hungry for that win - to do it for our little nation."

The 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games ends on Monday. For more details, click here.