Tonga at the 2008 Summer Olympics

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Tonga at the
2008 Summer Olympics
Ana Po'uhila
Medals
Gold
0
Silver
0
Bronze
0
Total
0
Summer Olympics appearances (
overview)

Ana Po'uhila in track and field events, and Maamaloa Lolohea in weightlifting. The delegation's appearance at the Olympics marked its seventh consecutive appearance at the Olympics since its debut at the 1984 Summer Olympics
in Los Angeles. The flag bearer for Tonga in Beijing was field athlete Ana Po'uhila.

Background

The

South Pacific Ocean to the far east of Australia. Initially known as the "Friendly Islands" by explorers, The islands of Tonga united under a single monarchy in 1845, and devised a constitution to restrain the monarchy in 1875. It is the only nation in the South Pacific that has neither been formally colonized nor had its original government dissolved, although it became a protectorate of the United Kingdom on 1900. Tonga renounced British protection in 1970 and, as of 2012, was the only monarchy in the Pacific Ocean.[1]

Some 14 years after becoming a sovereign nation in both foreign and domestic affairs, Tonga submitted its first delegation to the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, its largest Olympic team ever as of the Beijing Olympics. The first female Tongan athlete participated in the Olympics at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. Between 1984 and 2008, Tongan athletes have participated at all of the seven summer Olympics. From 1988 to 2008, however, there had not been a Tongan Olympic team greater than five athletes in size. There had been a single Tongan medalist during this time period: Paea Wolfgramm won a silver medal in boxing at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.[2]

Three athletes went to the 2008 Beijing Summer Games to participate on Tonga's behalf.

Ana Po'uhila was its sole field and only female athlete, and Maamaloa Lolohea was its only weightlifter. At 21 years old, Tohi was the youngest member of the delegation; Lolohea, at 40, was the oldest.[3] Po'uhila was the nation's flag bearer at the ceremonies.[2]

Athletics

Main article: Athletics at the 2008 Summer Olympics
The Beijing National Stadium, where Po'uhila and Tohi competed in their events

Béranger Bosse of the Central African Republic (10.51 seconds). The leaders of Tohi's heat included Jamaica's Asafa Powell (10.16 seconds) as well as Kim Collins of Saint Kitts and Nevis (10.17 seconds). Of the 80 athletes participating in the qualification round, Tohi placed 71st. He did not advance to later rounds.[5]

Nadzeya Ostapchuk (19.08 meters). Of the 33 athletes who finished the event, Ana Po'uhila ranked 27th. She did not advance to the final round.[7]

Men
Athlete Event Heat Quarterfinal Semifinal Final
Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank
Aisea Tohi 100 m 11.17 7 Did not advance
Women
Athlete Event Qualification Final
Distance Position Distance Position
Ana Po'uhila
 Shot put 16.42 27 Did not advance
Key
  • Note–Ranks given for track events are within the athlete's heat only
  • Q = Qualified for the next round
  • q = Qualified for the next round as a fastest loser or, in field events, by position without achieving the qualifying target
  • NR = National record
  • N/A = Round not applicable for the event
  • Bye = Athlete not required to compete in round

Weightlifting

Main article: Weightlifting at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Sam Pera, Jr. of the Cook Islands (350 kilograms), who in turn finished behind Finland's Antti Everi (366 kilograms). Gold medalist Matthias Steiner of Germany, in contrast, lifted a total of 461 kilograms.[9]

Athlete Event Snatch Clean & Jerk Total Rank
Result Rank Result Rank
Maamaloa Lolohea Men's +105 kg 140 13 173 13 313 13

See also

References

  1. World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency
    . 20 June 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Tonga". Sports-reference.com. 2008. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  3. ^ "Tonga at the 2008 Beijing Summer Games". Sports-reference.com. 2008. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  4. ^ "Aisea Tohi". Sports-reference.com. 2008. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  5. ^ "2008 Summer Olympics Results - Track and Field - Men's 100m Results". ESPN. 2008. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  6. ^ a b "Ana Po'uhila". Sports-reference.com. 2008. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  7. ^ a b "2008 Summer Olympics Results - Track and Field - Women's Shot Put Results". ESPN. 2008. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  8. ^ a b "Maamaloa Lolohea". Sports-reference.com. 2008. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  9. ^ a b "2008 Summer Olympics Results - Weightlifting - Men's +105kg Results". ESPN. 2008. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
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