Success for '08 Commonwealth Youth Team
The third Youth Commonwealth Games (for athletes between the ages of 16 an 18 years) was held from the 12th - 18th October, 2008 in Pune, India.
Four medals were won by the athletes in Samoa's Commonwealth Youth Games team.
16 year old Tasele Iva Margaret Satupai won a bronze medal for her shot put throw of 14.24 metres. Canada won gold (15.02m), while Lamataimi Lolo, a Samoan representing Australia, received the silver medal (14.73m) on day four (15 October).
Lalau Willie Fong, Vice President of SASNOC stated, “We are very proud of Tasele’s achievement and which is why we are prioritizing these young athletes.”
Chief Executive Officer for SASNOC, Seilui Fiu Peni Asi said that the SASNOC is eyeing potential young athletes with the aim of giving them opportunities to compete, just like Tasele.
Tasele Iva Margaret Satupa’i then won Samoa’s second medal at the Youth Commonwealth Games in India the following day (16th October).
The 16-year-old claimed the silver medal during the discuss final with a throw of 48.43m, narrowly losing to Lamataimi Lolo (50.49m) who is a Samoan representing Australia.
“We’re extremely proud of Tasele,” said Lalau Willie Fong, Vice President of SASNOC and President of Samoa Athletics.
“Considering her age, she is quite young. In fact, the girl who won the gold is 18. She has had a lot of development and training over the years. Tasele is only 16. She is just starting and she has a lot of potential, so for her to win a silver medal is fantastic news for Samoa and Athletics Samoa.”
Boxer Sinapati Sanele won Samoa’s third medal, a bronze in the 48kg division, and champion weightlifter, Mary Opeloge took the gold medal in the women's 69kg division bringing Samoa's medal tally to four for Samoa's 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games team.
Samoa waits in anticipation after putting forward a bid to host the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games earlier this year with a decision to be made in November, at the Commonwealth Games Executive meeting.
The fourth Commonwealth Youth Games will be held in the Isle of Man in 2011.
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