Gisela Vea puts Tonga on the chess map

A young Tongan woman has made history by becoming the first Tongan to compete in an international chess tournament.

Gisela Vea represented the Kingdom of Tonga at the Zonal Oceania Chess Championship in Melbourne last month.

Speaking to John Pulu on PMN Tonga, Vea said she began by joining the school chess club in Canberra, and then her involvement grew.

“The opportunity came when my uncle started up the chess federation in Tonga and this opportunity to represent Tonga in the Zonal Oceania tournament in Melbourne came.

“I just took it and I thought being the first Tongan to do that was huge, getting to represent our little nation. It was a good experience.”

The Chess Championship had 171 players from the Oceania region. Photo/Box Hill/Canterbury Junior Chess Club

The weeklong tournament, held at the end of January, featured players from across the Pacific, including New Zealand, Nauru, Vanuatu, and Fiji.

Vea hoped her journey would inspire Tongans to try chess and other opportunities.

“Chess isn't that popular, so I hope that in me getting to represent Tonga along with the other Pacific nations I encourage them to just give it a go, you never know the places it could take you.”

Vea, also a talented rugby player, is keen to continue playing chess and hopes to represent Tonga locally or internationally again.

Watch Gisela Vea's full interview on PMN Tonga below.

“I was just playing in the Brumbies for their 22-23 season over here and then I got injured and that just got me out of the rest of the year for sports.

“God opened up another door and gave me this path that I used to go down back in primary school and take it up again so to be given this opportunity it's a huge blessing.”