Latest news with #Va'a
The Star
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Women battling cancer find new hope thanks to Va'a canoeing
When breast cancer turned her life upside down, Anna Lucia Amorim, a 63-year-old Brazilian from Rio de Janeiro, fell into a deep depression – sometimes struggling to get out of bed. But everything changed, she said, after she started practising Va'a canoeing in Niteroi, a city facing Rio across Guanabara Bay, with other women who have battled cancer or were undergoing treatment. "Every time you put the paddle in the water, it's like a new life,' she said in an interview. "When you are there, you forget everything. You only see the sea and the sky.' Amorim is part of Va'a Roses, a group of cancer patients and survivors between the ages of 52 and 70 who partake in local and national competitions of Va'a canoeing. Originating in the Pacific region, Va'a canoes – which traditionally have outriggers and can be single or double-hull – are now popular worldwide. In Niteroi, the Va'a Roses train twice weekly just after 7am, departing from the sheltered Charitas Beach surrounded by harbours and sloping mountains, from which one can spot the famed Christ The Redeemer statue. Guanabara Bay has a reputation for being polluted by garbage and sewage, but members of the Va'a Roses say they regularly see turtles, rays and other fish – even dolphins. "You wouldn't think that Guanabara Bay has so much life,' said Flavia Bichara, a 52-year-old lawyer who is currently undergoing chemotherapy for lung cancer. She said the hope of spotting a turtle and watching the sun rise gives her ample motivation to get out of bed early. "The sunrise, for us, symbolises coming back to life," she said. Polynesian canoeing and water sports in general have become increasingly popular in Niteroi over the last few years, said Isabel Swan, the municipality's deputy mayor who has an Olympic bronze medal in sailing. The number of Polynesian canoeing clubs in the area has jumped from five to around 40 in the last decade. "This boom occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic, because people can practice water sports while complying with social distancing rules,' she said. In August, Niteroi will host the Va'a long distance world championship in which around a thousand athletes from 30 countries will compete. And alongside Rio, the city is a candidate to host the 2031 Pan American Games. Estella Tourl, 68, was diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago. As well as the stunning setting, she says she loves the social aspect of the activity. "We're in nature, we exercise and we talk. Afterward everyone sits together, we have coffee and laugh. It's stimulating – we want to live,' Tourl said. – AP
RNZ News
01-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
2025 Pacific Mini Games day two: Tahiti continues dominance, baseball 'field is not playable'
Va'a V6 women's 500m medallists: gold: Team Tahiti; silver: Team Fiji; bronze: Team Palau Photo: Palau 2025 Pacific Mini Games/Facebook All baseball competition matches at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau in the last two days have been put on hold because the Nippon Baseball Stadium field has been "washed out". Baseball competition director Reagan Sidoi told RNZ Pacific that the field cannot be played on after the heavy rain at the weekend. "The field is not playable," he said from Koror. There is hope that the matches would be played on day three - Wednesday, depending on whether the field surface improves. But apart from that setback, fans have been able to witness some exciting performances from the athletes in action. Tahiti's lead on the medal table continues to grow, as day two came to an end on Tuesday night. The Tahitians hauled in 14 gold medals on day two, adding to the nine they had won on day one, those coming from the va'a (outrigger canoe) races, archery and swimming. Samoa, with six gold medals, plus Northern Marianas and Marshall Islands, who have four gold medals each, are also in the medal table top four after two days of competition. Photo: Palau 2025 Pacific Mini Games/Facebook Tahiti ruled the archery events, led by Aurore Cottet, who won gold medal in the compound event, scoring a total of 1,272 points. Tongan duo Luisa Pongi and Ana Fifita claimed silver and bronze respectively. Arthur Demachy added another gold in the men's compound event at the Melekeok Field, topping the event with 1,338 points. Tonga's Victory Pekipaki and Fiji's Patrick Nadan finished second and third. Thais Pendu recorded another Tahitian gold medal in the women's recurve final. Action at the pool saw Tahiti dominating once again. They claimed gold and silver in the men's 800m freestyle with Enoa Vial winning ahead of fellow countryman Nael Roux, adding to another gold earlier claimed by Lili Paillisse in the women's 800m freestyle. Roux also won gold in the men's 400m medley. Fiji's Samuel Yalimaiwai won the men's 50m breaststroke final and set a new Fiji national record of 27.74 seconds. In the process he also claimed Fiji's first gold medal at the Games, while his team-mate David Young won silver, with Cook Islands' Jacob Te Atamira Story taking bronze. Northern Marianas' Maria Corazon Battalones claimed gold for her country in the women's 50m breaststroke final, stopping the clock at 33.40 seconds, ahead of New Caledonia's Manon Baldovini, who took silver and Tahiti's Deotille Videau. Medallists in women's 100m butterfly: Paige Schendelaar-Kemp (Samoa), Deotille Videau (Tahiti) and Mia Tracey Anne Laban (Cook Islands). Photo: Palau 2025 Pacific Mini Games/Facebook Samoan Page Schendelaar Kemp secured gold for her country in the women's 100m butterfly final, in a time of 1 minute and 1.16 seconds, ahead of Tahiti's Deotille Videau and Cook Islands' Mia Tracey Anne Laban. Northern Marianas' Isaiah Roger Aleksenko added a gold to his country's tally in the men's 100m butterfly, ahead of Tahiti's Nicolas Vermorel and Fiji's Hansel McCaig. Tahiti continued to dominate the va'a (outrigger) races on day two at the Meyuns Ramp. They claimed gold in the V6-500m women's event, the V6-500 men's competition, and one by their mixed team in the V6-500m event. Day two of the women's volleyball competition saw American Samoa spiking off against Tahiti, wining three sets to nil. The team from Pago Pago just edged their Tahitian counterparts in the three sets, winning 25-28, 25-21 and 25-18, to register their first win, having lost to Fiji on Monday. Tahiti had defeated Nauru in their first game on day one. Palau, who defeated Northern Marianas on Monday, recorded their second win in the competition, accounting for Nauru 3-0 in their clash. That gives the locals the lead in pool A of the volleyball, heading into their third game against Wallis and Futuna on Thursday. Wallis and Futuna played their first game and won, beating Northern Marianas 3-0. The lone match in the men's competition saw Northern Marianas claiming a win over Kiribati in a three-set victory. Nauru Wrestling is happy with what their wrestlers have been able to achieve so far at the Games. Isaiah Agege and Tyson Hedmon won medals in the Greco-Roman discipline during their international debut. Nauru TV said in the under-17 55kg division, Hedmon battled his way to a silver medal, turning heads with his strength and focus on the mat. Teammate Agege secured a bronze in the under-20 87kg category. "It was a great experience," Hedmon said, promising to "train harder and come back stronger for gold". Agege will now compete in beach wrestling on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Samoan wrestler Shane Palemia has won his second gold medal at the Games, claiming top spot in the men's wrestling greco event 87kg category, over Northern Marianas' Miles Borja. PNG v Vanuatu, 3x3 basketball Photo: VASANOC (Vanuatu Association of Sports And National Olympic Committee)/Facebook An interesting competition is being seen in the 3x3 basketball. The competition also doubles as the qualifier for two major international events, the FIBA 3x3 under-23 World Cup and the Commonwealth Games. FIBA said in a statement before the competition that the champions from the Mini Games will earn direct qualification to the FIBA 3x3 under-23 World Cup. The highest-placed Commonwealth country at the event will secure direct qualification for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. FIBA said based on the strong performances at the Pacific Games 2023, and the FIBA 3x3 Oceania High Performance Camp 2024, interest in the men's competition will be on Guam, Fiji and Palau. Fiji upset the traditionally dominant Guam at the 2023 Pacific Games in a thrilling gold medal match (19-18). On the courts in Koror, Papua New Guinea proved too strong for Palau, winning 21-5 in the first women's match, before Fiji recorded a big 21-8 win over the Marshall Islands in the Oceania 1 pool. Then it was Vanuatu who handed Palau their second loss in the competition, winning 14-11, sending the locals to the changing room with a lot to think about. PNG later claimed their second win in the afternoon, beating Vanuatu 14-6, but the Fijians defeated PNG 18-7 in the final game. In Oceania 2, Tonga looks to be the team to beat there with three wins from as many matches. They defeated Tahiti 10-9, Samoa 17-15 and Solomon Islands 18-13. In the men's competition, PNG started their campaign in Oceania 1 with a 22-14 win over Vanuatu, Fiji pipped the Marshall Islands 20-15 in a tightly contested match while Guam proved too strong for Vanuatu, getting home with a 21-6 scoreline. But the story of the day was Palau beating the much-fancied Fijians 17-14. In Oceania 2 mixed results were recorded, with Tonga defeating Tahiti, and PNG pipping Guam. A second group of Pacific Police Support Group (PPSG) officers have arrived in Palau, joining those who had arrived earlier to assist in providing security at the Games. The PPSG will assist Palau's law enforcement agencies, helping to maintain the safety and security of all athletes, delegates and spectators throughout the Games. There are 21 law enforcement officers from 12 Pacific countries, funded by the government of Australia, following a formal request from the Government of Palau. Australian Ambassador, Toby Sharpe told the Island Times that the Games "is an important moment for Palau, with the eyes of the region upon it". "Australia is proud to work in partnership with Palau to support a successful Games. This deployment will demonstrate the strengths of the Pacific-led model and what we can achieve when we work collectively to meet the region's needs," Ambassador Sharpe stated. Table tennis competition will begin on day three, with the women's events starting off. That will see Marshall Islands taking on Tahiti, Palau facing the Solomon Islands, Nauru taking on PNG and Kiribati meeting Vanuatu. Volleyball, and softball continue with their pool matches, while beach volleyball also will see action. Baseball is also on the schedule, field conditions permitting. There are more gold medals at stake in 3x3 basketball, swimming, archery, wrestling and weightlifting. 2025 Pacific Mini Games medal tally at the end of day two of competitions on 1July 2025. Photo: RNZ Pacific
26-06-2025
- Sport
A group of Brazilian women battling cancer find new hope thanks to Va'a canoeing
RIO DE JANEIRO -- When breast cancer turned her life upside down, Anna Lucia Amorim, a 63-year-old Brazilian from Rio de Janeiro state, fell into a deep depression sometimes struggling to get out of bed. But everything changed, she said, after she started practicing Va'a canoeing in Niteroi, a city facing Rio across Guanabara Bay, with other women who have battled cancer or were undergoing treatment. 'Every time you put the paddle in the water, it's like a new life,' she told The Associated Press on Thursday. 'When you are there, you forget everything. You only see the sea and the sky.' Amorim is part of Va'a Roses, a group of cancer patients and survivors between the ages of 52 and 70 who partake in local and national competitions of Va'a canoeing. Originating in the Pacific region, Va'a canoes — which traditionally have outriggers and can be single or double-hull — are now popular worldwide. In Niteroi, the Va'a Roses train twice weekly just after 7 a.m., departing from the sheltered Charitas Beach surrounded by harbors and sloping mountains, from which one can spot the famed Christ the Redeemer statue. Guanabara Bay has a reputation for being polluted by garbage and sewage, but members of the Va'a Roses say they regularly see turtles, rays and other fish — even dolphins. 'You wouldn't think that Guanabara Bay has so much life,' said Flavia Bichara, a 52-year-old lawyer who is currently undergoing chemotherapy for lung cancer. She said the hope of spotting a turtle and watching the sun rise gives her ample motivation to get out of bed early. 'The sunrise, for us, symbolizes coming back to life," she said. Polynesian canoeing and water sports in general have become increasingly popular in Niteroi over the last few years, said Isabel Swan, the municipality's deputy mayor who has an Olympic bronze medal in sailing. The number of Polynesian canoeing clubs in the area has jumped from five to around 40 in the last decade. 'This boom occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic, because people can practice water sports while complying with social distancing rules,' she said. In August, Niteroi will host the Va'a long distance world championship in which around a thousand athletes from 30 countries will compete. And alongside Rio, the city is a candidate to host the 2031 Pan American Games. Estella Tourl, 68, was diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago. As well as the stunning setting, she says she loves the social aspect of the activity. 'We're in nature, we exercise and we talk. Afterward everyone sits together, we have coffee and laugh. It's stimulating – we want to live,' Tourl said.
Toronto Star
26-06-2025
- Health
- Toronto Star
A group of Brazilian women battling cancer find new hope thanks to Va'a canoeing
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — When breast cancer turned her life upside down, Anna Lucia Amorim, a 63-year-old Brazilian from Rio de Janeiro state, fell into a deep depression sometimes struggling to get out of bed. But everything changed, she said, after she started practicing Va'a canoeing in Niteroi, a city facing Rio across Guanabara Bay, with other women who have battled cancer or were undergoing treatment.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A group of Brazilian women battling cancer find new hope thanks to Va'a canoeing
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — When breast cancer turned her life upside down, Anna Lucia Amorim, a 63-year-old Brazilian from Rio de Janeiro state, fell into a deep depression sometimes struggling to get out of bed. But everything changed, she said, after she started practicing Va'a canoeing in Niteroi, a city facing Rio across Guanabara Bay, with other women who have battled cancer or were undergoing treatment. 'Every time you put the paddle in the water, it's like a new life,' she told The Associated Press on Thursday. 'When you are there, you forget everything. You only see the sea and the sky.' Amorim is part of Va'a Roses, a group of cancer patients and survivors between the ages of 52 and 70 who partake in local and national competitions of Va'a canoeing. Originating in the Pacific region, Va'a canoes — which traditionally have outriggers and can be single or double-hull — are now popular worldwide. In Niteroi, the Va'a Roses train twice weekly just after 7 a.m., departing from the sheltered Charitas Beach surrounded by harbors and sloping mountains, from which one can spot the famed Christ the Redeemer statue. Guanabara Bay has a reputation for being polluted by garbage and sewage, but members of the Va'a Roses say they regularly see turtles, rays and other fish — even dolphins. 'You wouldn't think that Guanabara Bay has so much life,' said Flavia Bichara, a 52-year-old lawyer who is currently undergoing chemotherapy for lung cancer. She said the hope of spotting a turtle and watching the sun rise gives her ample motivation to get out of bed early. 'The sunrise, for us, symbolizes coming back to life," she said. Polynesian canoeing and water sports in general have become increasingly popular in Niteroi over the last few years, said Isabel Swan, the municipality's deputy mayor who has an Olympic bronze medal in sailing. The number of Polynesian canoeing clubs in the area has jumped from five to around 40 in the last decade. 'This boom occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic, because people can practice water sports while complying with social distancing rules,' she said. In August, Niteroi will host the Va'a long distance world championship in which around a thousand athletes from 30 countries will compete. And alongside Rio, the city is a candidate to host the 2031 Pan American Games. Estella Tourl, 68, was diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago. As well as the stunning setting, she says she loves the social aspect of the activity. 'We're in nature, we exercise and we talk. Afterward everyone sits together, we have coffee and laugh. It's stimulating – we want to live,' Tourl said.
