Short games for most Pacific Olympians

OLYMPICS – The Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands and American Samoa all began competition at the Rio Olympics on Tuesday.

Marshall Islands weightlifter Mattie Sasser finished in 11th place in the women’s 58kg division with a combined lift of 199kg, while Jenlyn Wini from Solomon Islands was 15th after lifting 188kg.

Lifters from Thailand claimed both the gold and silver medals.

American Samoa judoka Ben Waterhouse made an early exit in the 73kg division against Sri Lanka’s Chamara Repiyallage.

The Fiji women’s sevens team finished eighth at the Rio Olympics after losing 21-0 against Spain in their final match.

Fiji’s eight placing matches their final ranking in the past two World Series campaigns.

Australia won the first women’s rugby sevens Olympic gold medal, beating New Zealand 24-17 in the final, while Canada beat Great Britain 33-10 in the bronze medal playoff.

Papua New Guinea weightlifter Morea Baru finished sixth in the men’s 62kg division with a combined lift of 290kg, 15kg shy of the medal placings.

Samoan weightlifter Vaipava Nevo Ioane finished eighth with a total lift of 281kg.

Fiji swimmer Matelita Buadromo was 40th in the women’s 200m freestyle heats in a time of 2.05.49

Fiji’s Robert Elder and Tonga’s Arne Jensen have been eliminated in the men’s archery round of 32. - RNZI