Tonga won their first Pacific Games gold medal in Honiara, Solomon when 16-year-old Sālote Alexis Vakasiuola overcame stiff competition from New Caledonia and Tahiti to claim her golf victory.
Sālote’s success took Tonga’s medal tally to 10 altogether with one gold, three silvers and six bronzes.
She is a student at US’s Arizona High School and she began playing golf at the age of six.
Her victory has been described as a result of a “remarkable determination over the four days of competition”.
“I feel great winning gold for my country in my first Pacific Games,” she told the Pacific Games News Service.
“I just want to thank the people of Tonga for all their support. I miss them so much, and I love them.”
New Caledonia’s Priscilla Gracia Lormand settled for silver, while Kirra St Laurent of Tahiti won bronze.
Team Tonga chef de mission Hiko Fungavaka, told Pacific Games media that they are confident of doing well and securing some medals at the event.
“Our goal is to secure more medals and give our best performance in the Pacific Games Sol2023. Our team comprises experienced athletes ready to compete.”
Tonga won nine gold medals at the 2019 Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa.
