Sport in Samoa
The main sports played inSamoaarerugby unionandrugby league.Other popular sports arenetballandsoccer.SamoansinAmerican Samoaare more likely to follow or play American sports such asAmerican football,basketball,andbaseball.Sports such asmixed martial arts,boxing,professional wrestling,andvolleyballare popular among most ethnic Samoans regardless of location.
Types of sports[edit]
Rugby union[edit]
Rugby unionis the main sport in Samoa as it is played everywhere on the island. Samoa's national team has competed in everyRugby World Cupsince 1991 and they consistently rank in the top 20 teams in world rugby. Some of the current national team record holders areBrian Limafor most caps and most tries,Tusi Pisifor most points,Semo Sititifor most matches as captain, andGavin Williamsfor most points in a match.Elvis Seveali'iandAlesana Tuilagiare tied for most tries in a single match.
Rugby league[edit]
Rugby leagueis a popular sport in Samoa, with thenational teamreaching the quarter-finals of the2000,2013and2017Rugby League World Cups.Samoa is known for producingNRLplayers at one of the highest rates in the world. ManySamoan New ZealandersandSamoan Australiansalso play in the Super League and National Leagues in Britain. Players of Samoan descent have been part of everyRugby League World Cupwinning side for eitherNew Zealand KiwisorAustralian Kangaroossince 2008.SamoabornRoger Tuivasa-Sheckis one of the most decorated individual players in the sport, having been namedRugby League World Golden Boot Awardwinner in 2019 for best international player. Tuivasa-Sheck also won the prestigiousDally M Medalas the best player in theNational Rugby Leaguein 2018.Sonny Bill Williamshad previously won theRugby League International Federation (RLIF) International Player of the yearaward in 2013.
American football[edit]
American footballis a popular sport in Samoa but it still trailsrugby unionandrugby leaguein terms of participation. Per capita, theSamoan Islandshave produced the highest number ofNFLplayers. It's estimated that a boy born to Samoan parents is 56 times more likely to get into theNFLthan any other boy in America.[1] Samoanshave been at the forefront as a wave ofPolynesianplayers and coaches have found success in the sport. In 1945,Al Lolotaibecame the first Polynesian to play in theNFL.In 2014,Marcus Mariotabecame the first Polynesian player to win theHeisman Trophy.In 2015,Junior Seaubecame the first Polynesian player to be inducted into thePro Football Hall of Fame.Troy Polamaluwon theNFL Defensive Player of the Year Awardin 2010 and is the first Polynesian player to be on the cover of aMadden NFLvideo game.Ken Niumatalolois believed to be the first Polynesian head coach in college football history.[2]
Association football[edit]
Association football(soccer) is a popular sport in Samoa, with the national team being ranked 149th in the world. FormerEverton'sandAustralia'splaymaker,Tim Cahillrepresented Samoa in youth national teams. In 2004, Cahill was namedFIFAOceania Footballer of the Yearand was instrumental in helping theAustralian Socceroosreach the2006 FIFA World Cup knockout stage.At the2015 AFC Asian Cup,Cahill was part of the winningAustralian Socceroossquad, defeatingSouth Korea2–1 in the final. Cahill finished his international career asAustralia'sall-time leading goalscorerwith 50 goals in 108 appearances. Cahill is the only Australian to feature at fourFIFA World Cups,scoring goals at the2006,2010and2014tournaments. Tim's brotherChris Cahillis playing as a captain for the Samoan national team.Sarai Bareman,who representedSamoa,was named Chief Women's Football Officer ofFIFAin 2016.
Australian rules football[edit]
Australian rules footballas a sport in Samoa has been played since 1997. The game is typically played under derived rules known asSamoa Rulesand is played on rugby fields.[3] The governing body for the sport is theSamoa Australian Rules Football Association,[4]first formed in 1998 and the national team, which first competed at theArafura Gamesis known as theBulldogs,the name being chosen as the AFL'sWestern Bulldogswore the Samoannational coloursand has sent some professional players to visit the islands on clinics.AFLplayers to visit Samoa for coaching clinics includeDermott Brereton,Brad JohnsonandSteven Kretiuk.
Basketball[edit]
Samoa will host the 2021FIBA Polynesian Basketball Cup.The country further hosted its last edition in 2018, whenSamoa's national basketball teamfinished runner-up.[5]Wally RankandJames Johnsonare players of Samoan descent to have played in theNBA
Boxing[edit]
Professional boxing[edit]
Samoanfighters have been visible at all levels in the world ofboxing.On 1 May 2004,Maselino Masoebecame the first Samoan boxer to win aworld titlefrom one of thefour recognised boxing organizations,by capturing theWBA 'regular'world middleweight title,stoppingKenyanEvans Ashirain the second round.[6]On 10 December 2016,Joseph Parkerbecame the first Samoan boxer to win a majorworld heavyweight title,defeatingMexican AmericanAndy Ruiz Jr.by a narrow majority points decision for theWBObelt.[7]Jimmy 'Thunder' Peauheld theIBOheavyweight title from 1994 to 1995.[8]David TuachallengedEnglishmanLennox Lewison 11 November 2000 for theWBCandIBFworld heavyweight titles, losing by unanimous points decision.[9]On 26 April 2014,Alex Leapaichallenged long-reigningWBO,WBA SuperandIBFworld heavyweight championUkrainianWladimir Klitschko,losing by fifth round stoppage.[10]Having been wrested of hisWBA world titlebyGermanFelix Sturmon 11 March 2006,[11]Maselino Masoewould later challengeHungarianKároly Balzsayon 25 April 2009 for theWBO super middleweight title,losing byTKOin the 11th round.[12]
Amateur boxing[edit]
In 2011,Jai Opetaiabecame the first Samoan amateur boxer to win a world championship by taking thelight heavyweightgold medal at the 2011AIBA Youth World Boxing ChampionshipsinAstana.[13]While renowned for his punching power during his professional career,David Tuaalso had a proven amateur career, winning bronze medals at the1992 Summer Olympicsand1991 World Amateur Boxing Championshipswhile representingNew Zealand.[14]During his amateur career,Jimmy Peauwon thegold medal in the heavyweight divisionforNew Zealandat the1986 Commonwealth Games.[15]Amateur boxers representingSamoahave performed wellat various Commonwealth Games, winning silver and bronze medalsdating back to 1974.
Kickboxing[edit]
In 2001, unheralded newcomerMark Huntwon theK-1 World Grand PrixdefeatingFrenchmanJerome LeBanner(2nd roundKO),GermanStefan Leko(unanimous points decision) andBrazilianFrancisco Filho(extended round unanimous points decision) in a single night to become theonly non-European fighter to win the prestigious event.[16]Crowd favouriteRay Sefohad reached theK-1 World Grand Prix finalin 2000, losing to DutchmanErnesto Hoostby unanimous points decision.[17]On February 25, 2018,Genah Fabianbecame the first woman of Samoan descent to win aWorld Muaythai Council (WMC)world title.[18]
Cricket[edit]
Cricketis a minor sport in Samoa. TheSamoan national cricket teambecame an affiliate member of theInternational Cricket Councilin 2000. In 2005, they competed in theEast Asia/Pacific Cup,finishing in last place, thus missing out on qualification for the2011 Cricket World Cup.Samoa qualified for 2025 women U19 World Cup.
Mixed martial arts (MMA)[edit]
Mixed martial artsis a growing sport among ethnic Samoans all over the world.Mixed martial artistsof Samoan descent who have fought in theUltimate Fighting Championships (UFC)areMark Hunt,Max Holloway,Kendall Grove,Andre Fili,Robert Whittaker,Tyson Pedro,Tai Tuivasa,Maki Pitolo,Justin Tafa,Carlos Ulberg,Falaniko VitaleandKailin Curran.BothWhittakerandGroveare previous tournament winners ofThe Ultimate Fighterin themiddleweightandwelterweightdivisions respectively. On 10 December 2016,Max Hollowaybecame the first fighter of Samoan descent to win aUFCworld title, taking theinterimstrap, defeating fellowAmericanAnthony Pettisby third roundTKOatUFC 206.[19]On 8 July 2017, he was followed byRobert Whittakerwho became theUFCinterimworld middleweight champion, defeatingCubanYoel Romeroby points decision atUFC 213.[20]The interim championship status ofWhittakerwould eventually be elevated to undisputed when incumbent championGeorges St-Pierreretired in late 2017.[21]On 4 June 2017 atUFC 212,interim championMax Hollowaywould go on to stop reigning championBrazilianJose Aldoin the third round of their unification bout to determine the undisputed UFC world featherweight championship.[22]At the 2017World MMA Awards,Holloway was named theCharles 'Mask' Lewis Fighter of the year[23]with Whittaker namedInternational Fighter of the year.[24]In another MMA organization, on September 24, 2016,Siala-Mou Siligawon theRoad FCOpenweightTournament atRoad FC33.[25]
Netball[edit]
Netballis one of the most popular sports for girls in Samoa, usually played during the winter. In recent years, the sport has become more popular for men to play on island. Samoa's national team has qualified for everyINF Netball World Cupsince 1991. The team also competes at everyPacific Gameswhere they have won silver and bronze medals.
Volleyball[edit]
Volleyballis a popular sport in Samoa and participation rates continue to grow. Many players of Samoan descent can be seen at international competitions representingSamoa,American Samoa,New Zealand,Australiaand theUnited Statesin bothVolleyballandBeach volleyball.Eric Fonoimoana(along with partnerDain Blantonrepresenting theUnited States) won the gold medal forBeach volleyballat the2000 Sydney Olympics.[26]
Sumo wrestling[edit]
In the world ofSumo,Fiamalu Penitanibecame just the second non-Japanese-born wrestler to reachyokozuna,the highest rank in the sport.Saleva'a Fuauli Atisano'ewas the first non-Japanese-born wrestler to reachōzeki,the second-highest rank in the sport.Kilifi Sapais known for being the third non-Japanese-born wrestler to reach the top division. However, his highest rank wasmaegashira,the lowest of five ranks in themakuuchidivision.[27]
Professional wrestling[edit]
A number ofSamoanshave ventured intoprofessional wrestling.High chief Peter Maiviawas the first Samoan to crack the big circuits. His influence spawned the careers of his grandson,Dwayne "The Rock" Johnsonand first cousin once removed;Savelina Fanene.Following in Maivia's footsteps, the prominentAnoaʻi familyled bystalwarts Afa and Sika Anoaʻi.Other prominent Anoaʻi family members areLeati Anoaʻi,Rodney Anoaʻi,Solofa Fatu,andEdward Fatuare known for their work inWWE.Other notable Samoan wrestlers includeSarona Snuka,Nuufolau Seanoa,Cheree Crowley,Danielle Kamela,Emily Dole,andSonny Siaki.
Other sports[edit]
SeveralSamoanshave won medals at theSummer Olympic Gamesand other international events.Ele Opelogecreated history for Samoa by earning the nation's first ever Olympic medal, a silver in theWomen's +75 kg Weightliftingclass at the2008 Summer Olympics.[28]
Greg Louganiswon four gold medals and one silver forDivingin consecutive Games from 1976 to 1988 representing theUnited States.[29]Louganis also took five gold medals at theFINA World Aquatics Championships.In 1984,Robin Leamywon a gold medal forswimmingas a member of theUnited Statesmen's 4×100-meter freestyle relay team.[30][31]
Tumua AnaeandSami Hillhave won gold medals with the United States women'sWater polosquad at the2012 Summer Olympicsand2016 Summer Olympicsrespectively.[32][33]
Rugby sevensplayers of Samoan descent played in thewomen's gold medal finalat the2016 Summer Olympics.Evania Pelitetook home a gold medal representingAustraliawhileRuby Tui,Theresa Fitzpatrick,andNiall Williamswon silver medals forNew Zealand.[34]
Samoan New ZealanderBeatrice Faumuinawon the gold medal forDiscusat the1997 World Championships in Athletics.[35]She would compete at four Olympic Games from 1996 to 2008, her highest placing - 6th in 2004.
InProfessional bodybuilding,SamoanSonny Schmidtbecame the first Pacific Islander to win aMr. Olympiaevent when he was crowned the 1995 Masters Olympia winner for contestants over 40 years of age.[36][37]
Stadiums in Samoa[edit]
| Stadium | Capacity | City | Tenants | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apia Park | 12,000 | Apia | Rugby union:Samoa national rugby union team |
See also[edit]
References[edit]
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- ^Ruck, Rob."Football's Polynesian moment: Samoa's athletic outliers are paying a steep price for their commitment to the game".Salon.Retrieved5 Feb2016.
- ^Team by team guide to the International Cupfrom The Age. August 11, 2002
- ^AFL Samoa
- ^Samoa excited to host 2021 FIBA Polynesian Cup,FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
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- ^"Video: 'Mighty Mo' knocks out 7-foot-2 giant Hong Man Choi".MMAjunkie.Retrieved24 Sep2016.
- ^Robb, Sharon."Fonoimoana Makes Name For Himself".Sun Sentinel.Retrieved6 Apr2003.
- ^"Polynesian Islanders In Japanese Sumo".Aloha Valley.Retrieved30 Jan2016.
- ^Barbara Dreaver (2017-03-24)."Samoa receives its first Olympic medal after Ukrainian drug cheats exposed".tvnz.co.nz.Retrieved2017-04-19.
- ^Ron Flatter Davis."Louganis never lost drive to dive".espn.go.com.Retrieved2017-04-19.
- ^Nesian Village (2016-02-13)."Profile: Robin Leamy (Olympic Swimmer)".nesianvillage.com.Retrieved2017-04-19.
- ^David Davis (2012-04-05)."Robin Leamy ('86) Follows His Dreams".ucla.edu.Retrieved2017-04-19.
- ^"Tumua Anae".olympic.org.Retrieved2017-04-19.
- ^"A Rio Rundown".independent.com.2016-08-24.Retrieved2018-02-27.
- ^"Rio Olympics 2016: Silver for New Zealand women's rugby sevens team".NZ Herald.Retrieved9 Aug2016.
- ^"Beatrice Faumuina wins athletics world championship gold".nzhistory.govt.nz.Retrieved2017-04-18.
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