Solomon Islands World Taekwondo Union (SIWTU) has written ‘history in the stars’ for winning the first ever Pacific Games Gold medal for men in this code of combat sports.
Following Isaac Myrie's triumph, securing a Gold medal in the 54kg category, the Solomon Islands Team Taekwondo, comprising both men and women, achieved a remarkable feat by bagging a total of 14 medals in the XVII Pacific Games 2023.
The men's Taekwondo team from Solomon Islands secured one Gold, four Silver, and two Bronze medals, while their female counterparts clinched one Silver and six Bronze medals.
Notably, the only Gold medal previously won by Team Taekwondo in such competitions was by the women's team in the 2003 South Pacific Games held in Suva, Fiji.
Acknowledging the recent success achieved through dedication and determination, SIWTU Head Coach Junior Maetia expressed gratitude to God and the entire team for their meticulous preparation. He extended appreciation to families, friends, supporters, the SIWTU federation, and everyone backing Team Taekwondo in the XVII Pacific Games.
Coach Maetia also recognized the invaluable support from the Solomon Islands National Institute of Sport (SINIS), acknowledging their assistance in areas such as wellbeing, mental skills, strength and conditioning, and other support from the High-Performance Centre departments during the team's preparation.
The Head Coach further expressed gratitude for the significant contributions from Australian Mentor Coach Bianca Scurry and the Coach from China, despite the limited time they had with the team. Assistant Head Coach Gibson Sira and Taekwondo Para Coach Lilly Lofana were also commended for their hard work in overcoming challenges, discouragement, and criticisms in putting the team together.
“As SIWTU Head Coach, when you say negative things especially through the media about us, this is what motivates me to do better with the team. Your critics motivate me and the team, strengthening our mind that we must push on to prove critics and all odds against us, purposely to win ‘GOLD’ and medals for Solomon Islands. I would like to thank my athletes, I appreciate my athletes as they have done the best they can do for the country, the team deserve a pat on the shoulder to salute their achievement, they are not professionals ‘yet’ but they are heroes for this nation,” smiles Maetia.
With the question of what is next after this XVII Pacific Games, Coach Maetia affirmed Team Taekwondo's commitment to continuous training and the pursuit of more medals for Solomon Islands in future competitions.
The Solomon Islands Team Taekwondo medals won through the XVII Pacific Games 2023 are from;
- Isaac Myrie (Gold Medal) competing under 54kg Category
- Jarmin Scotaz (Silver Medal) competing under 57kg Category
- Nicholas Sulumae (Silver Medal) competing under 68kg Category
- Charlton Alafa (Silver Medal) competing under 87+kg Category
- Baddely Ludawane (Bronze Medal) competing under 74kg Category
- Rojie Fafale (Bronze Medal) competing under 87kg Category
- Team Taekwondo men’s Team Event (Silver medal)
- Erika Maetia (Silver medal) competing under 53kg Category
- Shandrea Nuala (Bronze medal) competing under 46kg Category
- Tenalyn Rove (Bronze medal) competing under 49kg Category
- Curthberta Kae (Bronze medal) competing under 62kg Category
- Stella Lisa (Bronze medal) competing under 67kg Category
- Moddie Foufaka (Bronze medal) competing under 73kg Category
- Taekwondo women’s ‘Team Event’ (Bronze medal)
Source: Press Release, SINIS Media