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Sports in American Samoa

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sports in American Samoaare slightly different from sports inSamoa.The main difference is thatSamoansinAmerican Samoaare more likely to follow or play American sports such asAmerican football,basketball,andbaseball.Western Samoans are more likely to follow or playrugby union,rugby league,andnetball.Sports such asmixed martial arts,bo xing,professional wrestling,andvolleyballare popular among most ethnic Samoans regardless of location.

Types of sports

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American football

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Main article:American Football in American Samoa

American footballis the most popular sport in American Samoa. 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]

Baseball

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Main article:American Samoa national baseball team

Baseballis a growing sport in American Samoa, where the national team has won silver and bronze medals at thePacific Games.In 1968,Tony Solaitabecame the firstMajor League Baseballplayer to come from American Samoa. On April 21, 2018,Sean Manaeabecame the firstpitcherof Samoan descent to throw ano-hitterinMLBhistory.[3]Other notableSamoan Americanswho have played in the major leagues areMike Fetters,Chris Aguila,Matt Tuiasosopo,Jacob Hannemann,andBenny Agbayaniwho is best known for hiswalk-off home runin Game 3 of the 2000National League Division Series.[4]

Basketball

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Main articles:American Samoa national basketball teamandAmerican Samoa women's national basketball team

Basketballis popular in American Samoa due to mainlandUnited Statesinfluence. American Samoa's national teams are major contenders in theFIBA Oceaniazone as they have won multiple medals at international events such as thePacific Games.In 1980,Wally Rankbecame the first Samoan to play in theNBA.In 2000,Naomi Mulitauaopelebecame the first Samoan woman to play in theW NBA.Peyton Sivais known for leading theLouisville Cardinalsto twoFinal Fourappearances and a national championship in 2013.[5]Other notable Samoans in basketball areJames Johnson,Bubba Lau'ese,Wendell White,Rashaun BroadusandMekeli Wesley.

In recent years,3x3 basketballhas gotten more popular as well. American Samoa's Men's division has 11 registered teams, the Women's features six teams and there is a U19 division.[6]

American Samoa women's national basketball teamwon the title as Basketball Champion at the2019 Pacific Games.[7]

Bo xing

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The number ofSamoansin the world ofbo xinghas increased over the years. In 2004,Maselino Masoebecame the first Samoan boxer to win a major world title by capturing theWBAworld middleweight title.[8]In 2011,Jai Opetaiabecame the first Samoan amateur boxer to win a world championship by taking thelight heavyweightgold medal at the 2011AIBA Youth World Bo xing ChampionshipsinNur-Sultan,Kazakhstan.[9]Joseph Parkerbecame the first Samoan boxer to win aWBOworld heavyweight titlein 2016.[10]Retired professional boxerDavid Tuawon a bronze medal at the1992 Summer Olympicswhile representingNew Zealand.[11]

Mixed martial arts

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Mixed martial artsis a growing sport among ethnic Samoans all over the world.Mixed martial artistsof Samoan descent who have fought in theUFCareMark Hunt,Max Holloway,Kendall Grove,Andre Fili,Robert Whittaker,Tyson Pedro,Falaniko VitaleandKailin Curran.BothWhittakerandGroveare previous tournament winners ofThe Ultimate Fighterin themiddleweightandwelterweightdivisions respectively.Max Hollowayis the first fighter of Samoan descent to win aUFCworld title.[12]Outside ofUFC,Mark Hunthas won the 2001K-1 World Grand Prix.[13]On September 24, 2016,Siala-Mou Siligawon theRoad FCOpenweightTournament atRoad FC33.[14]On February 25, 2018,Genah Fabianbecame the first woman of Samoan descent to win aWMCworld title.[15]

Professional wrestling

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Main article:Anoaʻi family

A number have ofSamoanshave ventured intoprofessional wrestling.Members of the prominentAnoaʻi familysuch asDwayne Johnson,Savelina Fanene,Leati 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.

Rugby union

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Main articles:American Samoa national rugby union teamandRugby union in American Samoa

Rugby unionin American Samoa is a growing sport. The governing body is the American Samoa Rugby Union, which is a full member of both theFederation of Oceania Rugby Unionsand theInternational Rugby Board.Rugby union has been played in American Samoa since at least 1924,[16]but the national development of the game has been overshadowed by the popularity ofAmerican footballsince the 1970s. The American Samoa Rugby Union was established in 1990, and did not become fully affiliated to the International Rugby Board until 2012.[17]

Rugby league

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Main article:American Samoa national rugby league team

The national team has competed in the 1988, 1992, 1998 and 2004Pacific Cupcompetitions. The team has also competed in the 2003 and 2004Rugby League World Sevensqualifiers in the 2005 World Sevens competition. American Samoa's first match in international rugby league was in the 1988Pacific CupagainstTonga.The Tongan national team won the match 38-14 which is still the biggest loss by an American Samoan team. American Samoa's biggest win was in 2004 againstNew Caledoniawith the score ending at 62–6.

Association football

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Main articles:American Samoa national football teamandFootball in American Samoa

American Samoa's national team is ranked near the bottom of theFIFArankings. It also has the distinction of suffering the worst loss in international football history. They lost toAustralia31–0in aFIFA World Cup qualificationmatch on April 11, 2001. They won their first international match 2–1 against Tonga on November 24, 2011.[18]

Sumo wrestling

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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.[19]

Volleyball

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Main article:American Samoa women's national volleyball team

Volleyballis a popular sport in American Samoa. The women's national team won the gold medal at the2015 Pacific Gamesby defeatingTahitiand they are known as one of the top teams inOceania.[20]Many mainlandSamoan Americanscan also be seen in both volleyball and beach volleyball.Eric Fonoimoanawon a gold medal at the2000 Olympic Gamesrepresenting theUnited Statesinbeach volleyball.[21]

Other sports

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Main article:American Samoa at the Olympics

SeveralSamoan Americanshave won medals at theSummer Olympic Games.Greg Louganiswon four gold medals and one silver forDivingin consecutive Games from 1976 to 1988 representing theUnited States.[22]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.[23][24]Tumua AnaeandSami Hillhave won gold medals with the United States women'sWater polosquad at the2012 Summer Olympicsand2016 Summer Olympicsrespectively.[25][26]

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.[27][28]

Lisa Misipekawon a bronze medal at the1999 IAAF World Championships in Athletics for the Women's hammer throw.Her third-place finish gaveAmerican Samoaits first ever medal at a world athletics championship event.[29]

Stadiums in American Samoa

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Stadium Capacity City
Veterans Memorial Stadium 5,000 Tafuna
Pago Park 2,000 Pago Pago
DYWA Gym 500 Tafuna
Tony SolaitaBaseball Field 500 Tafuna

See also

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References

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  1. ^Pelley, Scott."American Samoa: Football Island".CBS News.Retrieved17 Sep2010.
  2. ^Ruck, Rob."Football's Polynesian moment: Samoa's athletic outliers are paying a steep price for their commitment to the game".Salon.Retrieved5 Feb2016.
  3. ^"Manaea pitches no-hitter".Samoa News.Retrieved22 Apr2018.
  4. ^"No. 12: Benny Agbayani's walk-off home run (2000 NLDS, Game 3)".ABC NY.Retrieved16 Oct2015.
  5. ^Crawford, Eric."PROFILE OF A CHAMPION: Peyton Siva, suffering and glory".WDRB.Retrieved24 Apr2013.
  6. ^"American Samoa organize Moso'oi Basketball and 3x3 tournament".FIBA.22 September 2020.Retrieved9 November2020.
  7. ^Ali Iveson (14 March 2021)."Pacific Games qualifier FIBA Melanesia Cup pushed back to 2022".Inside the Games.Retrieved26 September2021.
  8. ^Peter Jessup (2017-05-03)."Bo xing: South Auckland welder claims world middleweight title".The New Zealand Herald.Retrieved2017-04-15.
  9. ^Taneka, Taku."How Good Is Jai Opetaia".Inside Sport.Retrieved1 Jul2012.
  10. ^Vatapuia Maiava (2017-01-01)."Lupesoliai La'auli Joseph Parker - Samoa's very own world champion".Samoanobserver.ws.Retrieved2017-04-15.
  11. ^"David Tua New Zealand Olympian 684".olympic.org.nz.Retrieved2017-04-19.
  12. ^Edwards, Jim."Max Holloway Ready to Prove He's Featherweight King".FloCombat.Retrieved18 Feb2017.
  13. ^"Mark Hunt - Official UFC Fighter Profile".ufc.UFC.Retrieved31 May2018.
  14. ^"Video: 'Mighty Mo' knocks out 7-foot-2 giant Hong Man Choi".MMAjunkie.Retrieved24 Sep2016.
  15. ^Tiananga, Tamati."Waikato-Tainui fighter Genah Fabian wins world title".Maori Television.Retrieved28 Feb2018.
  16. ^Nauright, John; Parrish, Charles, eds. (2012).Sports Around the World: History, Culture, and Practice.ABC-CLIO. p. 446.ISBN978-1-59884-300-2.Retrieved11 November2013.
  17. ^"Welcome to Amerika Samoa Rugby".American Samoa Rugby Union.Archivedfrom the original on 13 August 2013.Retrieved11 November2013.
  18. ^"American Samoa wins first ever football match after 30 straight defeats in 17 years".The Telegraph.Retrieved23 Nov2011.
  19. ^"Polynesian Islanders In Japanese Sumo".Aloha Valley.Retrieved30 Jan2016.
  20. ^"American Samoa and Wallis and Futuna Claim Volleyball Titles".EMTV Online.Retrieved19 Jul2015.
  21. ^Robb, Sharon."Fonoimoana Makes Name For Himself".Sun Sentinel.Retrieved6 Apr2003.
  22. ^Ron Flatter Davis."Louganis never lost drive to dive".ESPN.Archived fromthe originalon August 15, 2000.Retrieved2017-04-19.
  23. ^Nesian Village (2016-02-13)."Profile: Robin Leamy (Olympic Swimmer)".nesianvillage.Retrieved2017-04-19.
  24. ^David Davis (2012-04-05)."Robin Leamy ('86) Follows His Dreams".ucla.edu.Retrieved2017-04-19.
  25. ^"Tumua Anae".olympic.org.Retrieved2017-04-19.
  26. ^"A Rio Rundown".independent.2016-08-24.Retrieved2018-02-27.
  27. ^Robin Chang (2012-06-12)."IFBB Masters Olympia Moving to Miami, Florida".flexonline.Retrieved2017-04-15.
  28. ^Marty Gallagher (1996-01-01)."Sonny Schmidt: How he won the Masters Olympia".highbeam.Archived fromthe originalon 2017-04-16.Retrieved2017-04-15.
  29. ^"Hammer Throw Women – 7TH IAAF World Championships in Athletics".iaaf.org.Retrieved2017-04-19.
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