Team Samoa have claimed medals at the 2023 Kukkiwon Cup - Taekwondo New Zealand Championships which is being used as a buildup for the Pacific Games.

Members of Tuiaopo Investments KLAS Taekwondo Club claimed medals at the conclusion of day one of competition. 

Held at the Barfoot and Thompson Stadium in Auckland, the first medal was a bronze medal claimed by Tovale Filipo.

Ms. Filipo, 29-year-old is the daughter of Samoa's Police Commissioner, Auapa'au Logoitino Filipo and is better known by her colleagues as "Val". Hailing from the villages of Vaimoso, Manono, Falevao and Vaitele, Ms. Filipo competed in the senior grade, black belt category. 

The first gold medal for team Samoa was won by the young Luisa Fulivai who competed in the Junior grade 1-2, red belt category. 

Although Tongan by birth, the 15-year-old who resides in Lotopa and is part of the 17 representing Samoa. 

Niko Vaitupu in the Junior 73.1 and over Grade 1-2 grade, red belt claimed a silver medal for Samoa, Sebastian Eteuati - cadet over 65.1 grade 1-2 red belt, also won silver, Dante Senio - Junior over 78.0 grade 1-2 red belt won a silver, Ryan Eteuati- junior over 78.1 black belt also a silver and Ta'aloga Fa'asalaina won bronze medal in the senior over 80.1 black belt division.

Team Samoa is made up of 16 local players with one New Zealand-based athlete who joined the team in Auckland.

According to the head coach, Olympian and Pacific Games and Oceania gold medalist, Leuluaitumua Tapunuu Kaino Thomsen-Fuataga, this is by far the largest number they have taken to compete in an international tournament outside Samoa.

“We have come many miles to compete in the New Zealand Nationals to give our students an opportunity to experience what it’s like to fight internationally, but also creating that perspective that there is a whole world out there," said Tapunuu. 

"Lots of different skills and techniques which our students will be exposed to, they can bring that back home to help hone their craft."

“Nothing comes easy in life, there are always sacrifices to be made to get to where we need to be. I would like to acknowledge the support of our sponsors, friends and families for coming through when we really needed help.

“It means so much more when you leave home and come to a foreign country knowing the full support was given by our own people. The support and love poured into the kids has been surreal so praise God."