Han Lemalu, a 19-year-old young man from Matautu Lefaga, took home this year's title for the Teuila Ailao Afi competition after putting a flawless show on stage during the finals at Friendship Park on Tuesday.

He overcame seven other competitors who made it to the finals out of 14 participants including former winner, Alema Alema.

In an interview with the media after the competition, Mr. Lemalu who is currently studying at the National University of Samoa (N.U.S.) said winning the title provided him with more aspiration and motivation as it opened the door for better opportunities and optimism for him as a young man.

"All praise goes back to God as without him I would not have have made it this far and this is my first ever competition for the Teuila itself and I am beyond happy for this is something I have long dreamt and trained for, to win the title of the Teuila fire knife dancing competition," he said.

"I trained and trained, to up my skills prior to this competition and now my dream has become true, I am beyond proud and happy and praise to God for this achievement."

Aside from the Teuila competition, the teenager also competed in the national competition recently this year and came in fourth place which he recalled, was a boost for his talent.

He started learning Siva Afi when he was in Year 5 with his older cousins who made it to international Siva Afi competitions and were performing in Hong Kong. They started teaching him 10 years ago and they are his role models.

"I never thought I would be passionate about something or about this particular talent and as I got older and kept practicing. I realised I can pursue something out of it," he said.

"My cousins from Hong Kong back then, it was their persistence in teaching me and passing on this talent to me that made me who I am today in terms o ailao afi."

His dream now is to make it to international competitions and provide for his family through this talent.

Meanwhile, the fire knife competition was judged by former fire knife dancers and experts in fire knife dancing including founder and owner of Siva Afi Club, Leota Lene Leota, Tautai Levasa, and Matagofie Kone Toomalatai.