The Polynesian track championships return as Pacific athletes shine

The return of the Polynesian Track and Field Championships after more than a decade drew thousands of spectators and standout performances from Pacific athletes competing in Auckland at the weekend.

The regional championships were held from 5-8 March at The Trusts Arena alongside the New Zealand Track and Field Championships.

The event brought together more than 100 athletes from Sāmoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, Tuvalu, Niue, American Sāmoa and French Polynesia.

Among the standout performers was Sāmoan Olympian Alex Rose, who claimed gold in the men’s discus and reinforced his reputation as one of the Pacific’s leading track and field athletes.

Rose produced a winning throw of more than 62 metres during the competition.

The 33-year-old is one of the Pacific’s most accomplished athletes. He has represented Sāmoa at multiple Olympic Games, including Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, and has also competed at several World Athletics Championships, including Tokyo in 2025, where he won bronze.

Alex Rose in action during the Polynesian Track and Field Championships in Auckland, where the Sāmoan Olympian said competing in front of Polynesian crowds “makes such a big difference” when representing his country. Photo/Oceania Athletics

Rose holds the Sāmoan national record in the discus and has consistently ranked among the world’s top throwers.

Ahead of the championships, Rose told PMN News that competing at the Polynesian Games in Auckland would be special because Pacific athletes rarely perform in front of their own communities.

He says seeing Polynesian fans in the crowd while representing Sāmoa “makes such a big difference” and adds extra meaning to the competition.

Watch Johnny Malua win the men’s 100 metres title in 10.88 seconds below.

His victory was one of several highlights for Pacific athletes during the four-day meet, especially the Sāmoa team who dominated the sprint events.

Johnny Malua won the men’s 100 metres title in 10.88 seconds, leading a Sāmoan one-two finish with teammate Falatunatuna Jr Solomona taking silver while Tonga’s Titali Kolomalu secured bronze.

Malua told Sāmoa Global News the win was for everyone back home in Sāmoa. “To see the flag go up and hear our anthem is a dream come true,” he says.

Sāmoa’s Symone Tafuna’i is overcome with emotions as she wins the women’s 100-metre final in Auckland. Photo: Oceania Athletics

Sāmoa continued its strong showing on the track with Symone Tafuna’i winning the women’s 100 metres in 12.19 seconds.

Amy Valet of French Polynesia finished second while Cook Islands sprinter Estelle Short claimed bronze.

Sāmoa also secured victory in the men’s 4x100 metre relay, finishing ahead of Tonga, with French Polynesia taking bronze. Malua ran the anchor leg for Sāmoa and chased down the leaders in the final stretch to secure the gold medal for his team.

Cook Islands athlete Max Teuruaa clears the bar in the pole vault during the Polynesian Track and Field Championships in Auckland, where he matched his national record. Photo/Oceania Athletics

Several other Pacific athletes also delivered standout performances during the championships.

Cook Islands athlete Max Teuruaa produced one of the most remarkable efforts of the meet, equalling his national record in the pole vault before breaking the Cook Islands record in the 110 metres hurdles with a time of 15.57.

The performance highlighted the growing depth of athletics talent emerging across the Pacific.

Cook Islands athlete Max Teuruaa clears a hurdle during the 110 metres hurdles at the Polynesian Track and Field Championships in Auckland, where he set a new national record. Photo/Oceania Athletics.

Tonga also celebrated success in the field events.

Champion thrower ʻAtamaama Tuʻutafaiva won gold in the women’s shot put, while sprinter Tevita Kolomalu secured bronze in the men’s 100 metres.

Young Tongan athlete Penisimani Taeiloa also claimed gold in the under-20 men’s discus.

Tonga’s ʻAtamaama Tuʻutafaiva (left) celebrates gold in the women’s shot put, while (right) the Tonga women’s 4x400m relay team of Ane Tali, Angelina Tupou, Langakali Peni and Alilia Salt compete in Auckland. Composite photo/Oceania Athletics.

Officials say the championships provided an important opportunity for Pacific athletes to compete regionally while gaining experience ahead of major international events.

With the Oceania Athletics Championships scheduled later this year, many athletes will now turn their focus to preparing for the next stage of competition.

The revival of the Polynesian championships is also expected to strengthen sporting ties across the Pacific and inspire the next generation of athletes.

Watch US-based Alex Rose speaking on Pacific Huddle ahead of the Polynesian Games below.