Tonga’s Roman Viney caused the first sensation at the Pacific Games

The Opening Ceremony of the Pacific Games was held in Honiara, Solomon Islands on November 19 but the boxing competition opened only on November 27.

The finals will be taking place in the tropical island in two competition days, on December 1 and 2. Australia and New Zealand are the strongest countries in the Oceanian region but Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Samoa and others are planning to make surprises in the Games.

All of the six women’s and seven men’s weight categories will be competing for their Olympic spots in the Pacific Games where the only the winners will receive their rights to qualify for Paris 2024.

Altogether 96 boxers from 47 National Olympic Committees already secured their spots for Paris 2024 throughout the first four Olympic Qualifiers and 13 Oceanian stars will join them.

Australia’s female lightweight (60kg) boxer, Tyla McDonald opened the Pacific Games with a quick success, she needed one and half minute to stop Solomon Islands’ Tracy Koputu.

Vanuatu’s Oceanian Champion Lionel Boe Warawara returned to the international boxing competitions after a few years of hiatus, but he suffered a tight loss to Papua New Guinea’s Allan Oaike at the men’s featherweight (57kg).

New Zealand’s Alex Mukuka had promising performance last year and he arrived in Honiara to be one of the challengers of the Australian Charlie Senior. The Kiwi boxer eliminated Nauru’s Christon Amram and he also joined the semi-finals of the featherweight (57kg).

Roman Viney was not able to reach team NZ in the previous months and due to his roots he switched back to Tonga. The light heavyweight (80kg) boxer caused one of the sensations when he eliminated New Zealand’s Emile Richardson, a more experienced hopeful.

Samoa’s Ato Plodzicki Faoagali is their No.1, who claimed medals in the previous two editions of the Commonwealth Games and he impressed in his opener in Honiara. The heavyweight (92kg) boxer was dominant against Tonga’s Peniteekosi Tatafu and he advanced to the next round.