A glimpse into the 2025 Pacific Mini Games - voices of athletes in Palau
Photo:
Facebook / Palau 2025 Pacific Mini Games
The 2025 Pacific Mini Games has been a colourful affair so far, bringing together 23 Pacific nations to compete in a variety of sports in the Micronesian nation of Palau.
The Mini Games kicked off on Sunday with a lively opening ceremony and will run through 9 July.
Amid the action and energy in Palau on Thursday, RNZ Pacific caught up with a few athletes on the ground to hear about their experiences so far.
Weightlifters Louise Richards and Vernon Taylor
Photo:
RNZ Pacific/Coco Lance
New Zealand weightlifter Vernon Taylor impressed on Thursday, setting a national record in the 120kg snatch, and securing a spot as the fourth-ranked lifter in Oceania.
Taylor is part of a nine-strong squad from Aotearoa, training alongside heavyweights like Commonwealth Games gold medalist David Liti, and amongst a team he is "super proud of".
"It's been an honour representing New Zealand in Palau, such a beautiful country," Taylor said.
"The English language doesn't comprehend how I feel being here!"
His record-breaking lift was no fluke, but the result of months of hard work.
"Competing and setting that record has been something I've been working towards for six, seven months," he said.
Now, he is focused on supporting his teammates the "best he can".
Taylor added that despite having competed on the international stage before, including at the Commonwealth Games and World Championships, there has been something unique about the atmosphere in Palau.
"This whole event is so unique. I've travelled to the Commonwealth Champs and World Champs, but the culture is just phenomenal," he said.
"The characters on the island, how other people express themselves - it's special to be a part of."
For Teammate Louise Richards, Palau has been a whirlwind of firsts.
Based in Nelson and currently training under Otago Weightlifting, this is Richards' first time competing internationally.
"In terms of Palau, this trip has been incredible. The country itself is stunning, and they've built all of this new infrastructure to host, which they've done a phenomenal job of."
She has also found herself surrounded by some of the sport's most elite athletes.
"I have been rubbing shoulders with some of the best in the sport, Olympian weightlifters, and seeing all those big names I've watched on YouTube over the years has given me a real larger-than-life feeling," Richards said.
In a slight twist to her trip, Richards is also stepping up to do some behind-the-scenes training.
"I'll also be doing some coaching- an accidental international debut as a coach and weightlifter," Richards laughed.
New Zealand do not currently hold any medals, however David Liti is expected to perform well for the Men's 110kg.
Malia Maasi (lsecond to the left) and Luani Moeakiola Ita (second to the right)
Photo:
Tonga Table Tennis
They might be an unexpected pair on the court, but Luani Moeakiola Ita and Malia Maasi proved that age and accessibility serve as no barriers to their sport, and mainly, their pride in representing Tonga at the Mini Games.
On Thursday, the Tongan duo competed in a mixed doubles match against Vanuatu's Marieson Kelly Bue and Edwin Lulu.
Maasi is a massive deal at the Games; at just nine years old, she is the youngest competitor, while Moeakiola is a standout para-athlete, and a finalist in the singles wheelchair competition, set to face Fiji's Akanisi Latu on Friday.
For both, the journey to Palau has been full of purpose.
"Back home, we've made a lot of sacrifices…including all of the training before we get to come here to Palau," Moeakiola said.
"When we heard about the Mini Games, it was exciting because it's our first time coming together for the Games, and also the first time playing mixed…and I mean, for Malia, she's nine years old, and she has this much heart to compete, and to play."
Beyond the game, the pair value representation. "Diversity is important for the athletes…to know who they are, and who they represent," Moeakiola said.
For Maasi, it is all about the joy of being here. For her incredibly young age she is "super happy and proud" to be part of the Games and surrounded by athletes to look up to across the Pacific.
Guam baseball - Zaeyah Tajalle
Zaeyah Tajalle
Photo:
RNZ Pacific/Coco Lance
Zaeyah Tajalle may be new to the Mini Pacific Games, but she's here to make a mark.
The 17-year-old Guam 'rookie', representing her country in baseball, has wasted no time getting into the swing of things, taking the opportunity to learn from her older teammates.
"It's my first year at the Pacific Games…and I'm coming in with a group of girls who have played their whole lives and childhood," Tahajii said.
"But knowing they welcomed me and being able to build this team with these women has been such an experience."
Despite the pressure of joining seasoned athletes, Tajalle is settling into her rhythm.
"I just hit a triple today, so that's been a highlight for me," she said. "Getting here, this journey - we're all ready to just give it our all, and learn."
While competition is diverse and fierce, having just faced off against American Samoa and the Marshall Islands, Tajalle said the shared passion and unity between teams on and off the field are a 'stand out', and the Games will leave a life-long impression.
"I think it's really exciting that all the different teams and sports come out here and rep their island, and see what everyone else has to bring," she said.
"Seeing that - where everyone stands, and the challenges they have - has been exciting to see."
With the confidence building and a gold medal in sight, Tajalle is focused.
"Next up is that gold medal round!" she said.
Tahiti va'a - Hiromana Flores-Nena
Hiromana Flores-Nena, far left
Photo:
Tahiti Infos/SB
Tahiti has been a powerhouse at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games, topping the medal table with an impressive 75 medals thus far, including 43 golds.
Much of that dominance has come from the water, where their va'a teams have done well for themselves, winning the 500m male, female, and mixed races.
Hiromana Flores-Nena, a member of Tahiti's men's va'a squad, says the team is far from done.
"I'm from Tahiti, and we won a lot of va'a," he said.
"We have another race on Friday, so we aren't dropping anything yet."
While the wins have been memorable, Flores-Nena said the experience goes far beyond medals.
"A real highlight has been meeting other people," he shared. "I do think the Games are really important, especially for Tahiti at the moment.
"We have the big Pacific Games coming up in 2027, so these kinds of events are important for us to be at, showing up and doing our best among our other Pacific peoples."
He added that the hospitality in Palau has made the experience even more enjoyable.
"Palau as well is just a very hospitable country, so that's been good for everyone."
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