‘It’s a marathon not a sprint’: Alex Rose on working long nights to claiming world bronze

A Sāmoan athlete savours his career-defining moment in Japan, where his bronze medal in the men’s discus gave Sāmoa its first podium finish on the world stage.

Alexander Melei “Alex” Rose finished third place in the Men’s Discus at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships on 21 September. With a powerful throw of 66.96 metres, Rose became the first Pacific man to win a medal at the competition.

The United States-based 33-year-old combined the demands of a full-time sales job with family responsibilities before his historic achievement.

Speaking with Pacific Huddle host Tuilagi William Leolahi, Rose reveals he often works long hours driving across states while raising two young children, including a four-month-old.

“So I haven't been sleeping for the past four months, I've been helping out with night shifts and it's taken a new level of diligence and commitment to reach this point in my career. For everything to work out this year, in particular with all the trials and tribulations, it's something special,” Rose says.

The achievement in Tokyo was also a personal redemption. Four years earlier, Rose failed to qualify for the Olympic final in the same city, which he describes as a turning point.

Listen to Alex Rose’s full interview below.

Despite these challenges, he reached a career peak in Tokyo, building on earlier appearances at three Olympics and multiple Oceania titles.

The medal ceremony carried personal significance as retired New Zealand shot putter Dame Valerie Adams presented Rose with his bronze.

“It was just overwhelming. I felt an overwhelming sense of pride. It was such a full circle moment because Valerie was one of the first athletes who believed in me. Probably 12 years ago, she was in full swing, Olympic champ multiple times and she's such a beast.

“It was inspiring seeing her and meeting her in Auckland. Seeing how she carries herself and trains. She was a really big part of my development and motivation. So for her to be the one to present me with the medal, it was incredible.”

Alex Rose during his Olympic discus attempt last year, making history by reaching the final and placing 12th with a 61.89 m throw. Photo/Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee

Rose also draws strength from his cultural ties, rooted in his father’s upbringing in Falealili and Tafatafa Beach in Sāmoa. He says representing Sāmoa keeps him connected to the community that shaped his family.

“It was an opportunity for me to stay connected to the culture and kind of pay homage and respect. Without Sāmoa and my father coming here, I wouldn't be here. I have an immense sense of respect for Sāmoa and I wanted to make the community proud.”

Although travel back to Sāmoa has become difficult in recent years, Rose explains he stays grounded in his heritage through conversations with his father.

“Family is so important with Sāmoan culture and it's all you have. So I'm so thankful that he's able to instill Sāmoan culture and keep it strong in our family. It’s something that I hope to do with my sons as they grow up so they can stay connected, maybe even more so than I was.”

Rose says every time he competes he contemplates what his sons will think watching his videos. He sees his efforts today as investments for what values he can instill in his sons.

“I thank God I'm so blessed. That's why I've been so diligent and I want to set a good example for them growing up so that they can find something they believe in.

“Maybe it's a discus, maybe it's music, maybe it's something completely different. Whatever it is, I want them to really fight for it like I have my whole life.”

Looking ahead, Rose hopes his example inspires Pacific youth to persevere. He says to youth who believe their dreams are not achieveable, that they are not alone in that line of thinking considering “I was once in their shoes”.

“You feel like an underdog in a way when you just start out or you're not achieving the success that you have. But consistency is key because a lot of times it's a marathon not a sprint. That's the story of my career.

“I never made a world final until I was 30. I never made an Olympic final until I was 32 and I never won a medal until I'm 33 now so who knows? Maybe by the time I'm 40 I'll be a world record holder.”