It has been an awesome journey for Team Samoa's athletes as the XVII Pacific Games 2023 came to an end on Saturday, with the team bringing home 34 gold medals, 21 silver, and 21 bronze and placed fourth overall.

On the last two days of the Pacific Games, Samoa's Ato Plodzicky-Faoagali stood strong against Australia's best, winning gold for his homeland in boxing, while the touch rugby team made history bringing home a clean sweep in the Men's, Women's and Mixed final matches.

Samoa's touch rugby claimed their third gold after winning the Mixed team's finals against Papua New Guinea on Saturday.

Team manager of the touch rugby Men's, Lilomaiava Samuelu Ieremia thanked the nation and families for the ongoing support for they have made history at the Pacific Games.

"We thank God first for without him we wouldn't have come this far and for our final performance today, we've claimed the gold medal and it's something our association and everyone have dreamt of achieving," he said.

"It hasn't been easy and we've prepared four years ago and now we've done it and we're grateful. We're super proud of the performance of the boys and girls and those that weren't selected, we're proud of the teamwork and support."

Lilomaiava also acknowledged his coaching staff and the touch rugby president, Matiu Tuileva Tuileva as their campaign of four years has come to a successful ending.

Meanwhile, Ato, who was one of the last athletes to win gold for Samoa, did not only win in the 92kg weight division against Australia but also qualified for the Olympic Games in Paris 2024.

In the Powerlifting, Samoa's Oliva Kirisome also claimed gold for his home nation with a 120+ kg weight class powerlifting final results: 320kg deadlift; 230 kg bench; and Squat 335kg.

Nathaniel Sulupo on the other hand collected 3 bronze in powerlifting as well - Discus -Bronze 2kg; Hammer - Bronze 7.26kg; Shotput - Bronze 7.26kg.

Overall, New Caledonia managed to steal the show with an overall medal tally of 197 medals with 82 of those gold.

Tahiti has moved to second place on the ladder with 160 medals, which includes a haul of 57 gold. The Tahitians overtook Australia on second spot after Thursday's competition.

Australia has 50  gold medals and 84 medals in total. All competing nations and territories have now won a medal, except Tokelau.

It has been confirmed that Tahiti will host the next Pacific Games in four years time.