PNG PM Marape slams researchers
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has slammed the PNG Institute of Medical Research (PNGIMR) for failing to study the Covid-19 pandemic in relation to Papua New Guinean immunology since the outbreak in 2020.
Speaking at a National Control Centre (NCC) in Port Moresby last Thursday, Marape told leading health practitioners that he was greatly “discouraged” by the inaction,...
Fiji’s final pool match against Great Britain, a repeat of Rio 2016 final
The second day of the men’s sevens tournament at the Tokyo Olympic Games will feature a repeat of the Rio 2016 gold medal match as Fiji and Great Britain go head to head for top spot in Pool B.
Fiji famously won that match five years ago 43-7, to ensure the country’s first ever Olympic medal was gold, and will...
FSM’s Taeyanna Adams breaks her national record at Tokyo 2020, Tonga’s Amini Fonua gets disqualified
By Makereta Komai, PACNEWS Editor in Tokyo
Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)’s 100m breaststroke swim queen, Taeyanna Adams broke her national record at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Sunday.
Adams shaved off a good 0.37 seconds from her national record, recording a faster time of 1:25.26 and placed fourth in the women’s 100m breast-stroke event. Only the best 16 swimmers from the...
Fiji sevens rugby team survives a scare from host Japan
By Makereta Komai, PACNEWS Editor in Tokyo
Fiji’s gold medal defence in sevens rugby got off to a jittery start with the host team Japan running in two tries and two conversions to edge Fiji 14-12 in the first half.
But Fiji came back with two tries and a conversion from Waisea Nacuqu in the second half to seal the game...
Fiji sevens rugby team round-up final training session, ready for game time Monday
By Makereta Komai, PACNEWS Editor in Tokyo
TOKYO, 25 JULY 2021 (PACNEWS) --- Fiji is aiming to repeat it historical gold medal win of five years in Rio when the men’s rugby seven competition starts Monday 26 July at the Tokyo Stadium.
Fiji won the gold medal in the men's tournament at the Olympic Games Rio 2016. It was the island...
PNG’s Dika Toua creates Olympic history
By Makereta Komai, PACNEWS Editor in Tokyo
Papua New Guinea and the Pacific's top woman weightlifter, Dika Toua created Olympics history Saturday, when she competed in her fifth Olympics - but bowed out at 10th place to a field of 14 strong lifters.
Toua is not new to making history at the Olympics. In Sydney at the 2000 Games she became...
Tonga’s shirtless flag bearer meets his Vanuatu rival – sending twitter fans into frenzy
Two Pacific flag bearers in their traditional attire and well-oiled bodies sent twitter fans into frenzy at the opening of the 32nd Olympics in Tokyo Friday night.
Not only Twitter fans but the international media featured the two Pacific athletes in their coverage of the opening ceremonies.
Tonga’s Pita Taufatofua, dubbed the ‘shirtless’ flag bearer once again became an internet sensation...
Tokyo 2020 Games opens with spectacular but subdued celebrations
By Makereta Komai, PACNEWS Editor in Tokyo
Japan delivered on its theme of ‘United by Emotion’ for the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Games - recognising its national sport heroes, health frontline workers and young children from the tsunami ravaged areas in the north of the country – who featured prominently in last night’s opening event that lasted almost four...
Samoa Appeals Court declares FAST Government; impasse over
The Court of Appeal ruled on Friday that the Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party was Samoa's new Government bringing three months of political stalemate to a close.
The court, the highest in the country, found that a swearing-in ceremony conducted by the party on the lawns of Parliament on 24 May was in fact legally binding, immediately...
Vanuatu rower placed sixth in men’s single scull event but hopes for repechage comeback
By Makereta Komai, PACNEWS Editor at the Tokyo 2020 Games
Vanuatu’s flag bearer at the Tokyo 2020 Games due to open tonight was the first Pacific athlete to compete in the men’s 2000m single scull rowing at 8.40am local time.
Riilio Rii was placed 6th in a string field of competitors from Greece, New Zealand, Peru, Monaco and Dominican Republic in...