Boxing – Six more Aussies qualified for Paris Olympics with wins in final

Australia has qualified 12 boxers for the Paris 2024 Olympics with six Australians winning their Olympic qualifying bouts at the Pacific Games in Solomon Islands today, joining their six teammates who qualified yesterday.

Monique Suraci, Tina Rahimi, Yusuf Chothia, Shannan Davey and Teremoana Teremoana all won in convincing fashion in today’s finals, with Harry Garside’s Fijian opponent withdrawing from the final due to injury giving him the victory by walkover.

Twenty-five-year-old Teremoana stopped Samoan Elijah Mercury-Leafa in the second round, before performing a Cook Islands inspired celebration dance.

“I’m Australian born and bred but my dad’s from the Cook Islands, I’m so proud to be able to represent who I am,” Teremoana said. “Winning this event, I see it as I’m now representing the whole Pacific region at Paris 2024.

“It feels amazing to qualify, I set out a goal and I completed it. This isn’t the end goal, this is a checkpoint on it, I’m going for Olympic gold now.”

The super heavyweight was a dominant force throughout the competition with no fight going the distance, stopping his quarter and semi-finals in the first round. He added he had extra motivation with his mother and grandmother ringside cheering him on.

“Having them here to support gives me that extra bit of pride. When I was doing the performance, I was doing it for everyone watching, but especially my family - my family are so important to me, everything I do it’s not for me, it’s for us.”

Tina Rahimi defeated Tongan Feofaaki Epenisa by unanimous decision to earn her Paris 2024 quota.

“I’ve finally qualified for Paris, I’m so amazed right now, I can’t believe I’ve actually made it,” the 27-year-old said. “I never thought I’d actually come to this point, to be here right now is incredible.

“I just want to thank everyone back home that has supported me, I can’t wait to get home and celebrate with you all.”

Bundaberg local Shannan Davey took out New Zealand’s Wendell Stanley to join his teammates in qualification.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet, I can’t believe this has happened, I’ve been working towards this moment for 10 years and it’s finally happened,” Shannan said. 

“So much work has gone into this, a lot of ups and downs, more downs really, but now after 64 fights, I’ve qualified for the Olympics and I know it’s all worth it. The journey’s just begun.

“The nerves really kicked back in today, I just felt like sitting down, but then the adrenaline kicked in, and knowing the Aussies in the crowd and all my friends and family back home were cheering me on helped me get through it. I hope I’ve done them proud.”

Yusuf Chothia overcame a very vocal home crowd to defeat Solomon Islander Clinton Tetekana, while Monique Suraci defeated New Zealand’s Tasmyn Benny, both by unanimous decision.

Beach Volleyball – Aussies won gold to cap unbeaten tournament

Aussie beach volleyballers capped an outstanding Pacific Games tournament by winning gold in both the women’s and men’s events.

Stefie Fejes and Jana Milutinovic defeated locals U’Una and Puia from Solomon Islands 21-9, 21-10 21-11, 24-22, while Ben Hood and D’Artagnan Potts were pushed to a tough three set victory over Tuvalu 19-21, 21-18, 15-12.

Stefie was thrilled to cap off the week with a gold medal win, in front of a cheer squad that included Aussie athletics and boxing athletes.

“It feels amazing, we’re so happy and really proud,” Stefie said. “It’s been the most amazing experience, this is the first multisport event we’ve been to, it’s so much bigger than just us, we’re competing for Australia as part of a bigger team and it feels really special.

“It’s awesome to have these Aussies come down to watch some volleyball and cheer for us, we really appreciate their support.”

Jana said the team came together well throughout the five days of competition.

“It’s pretty special to win the Pacific Games,” Jana said. “To have an amazing support team behind us with the full team out was really cool.

“We knew we needed to stick to our game and bring our best performance, we did and it paid off.”

Ben and D’Artagnan dug deep to come back from a set down to make it double gold at the beach volleyball courts.

“To wear the green and gold is a privilege, really happy to get the win,” Ben said.

“It was awesome to see a big crowd of Aussies coming down to support us – for some of them it was their first time seeing beach volleyball live, glad we could get the win in front of them.”

“This is my first gold medal in senior competition, really stoked with that,” D’Artagnan added. “Tuvalu came to play today, they really wanted that win, and played so well.

“I’ve had a really great time in Solomon Islands, everyone’s been so friendly and the facilities are great, been a fantastic experience.”

Sailing – Individual bronzes and team silvers to close sailing campaign

Isaac Schotte and Amelia Wilson took out individual bronze medals in the ILCA-7 and Sailboard events to cap a week of racing at Iumi Water Sport Park.

Isaac and teammate Tom Farley also won team silver behind New Caledonia, with Amelia and Charlotte Wormald winning Sailboard team bronze.

“It was great conditions today, Honiara provided a great breeze,” Isaac said. 

“The medal race was hectic, there was a lot going on. I needed to put three boats between me and Samoa to get silver, but the New Caledonian, who had already secured individual gold by racing well all week in the fleet, needed the Samoan to stay in silver so new Cal would win team gold. 

“I was trying to match race the Samoan, New Cal was trying to match race me, it was tough, hectic racing.

“I feel good, I learnt lots, the Samoan and New Cal were really experienced sailors, and I’m taking so much away from this week. It was tight-knit, close racing you can’t ask for much more. Tight racing pushes you, it was great competition all week.”

16-year-old Amelia leaves the Games with a bronze and silver medal.

“Just before the medal race the winds picked up to 15 knots, and it ended up being a great race,” Amelia said.

“Charlotte and I are so happy we came second in the team event, we’ve had a great time out there on the water.”