More than 100 competitors are expected in the first licensed CrossFit competition to be held in Samoa, the Samoa Nationals CrossFit Competition "Throwdown".

The competition organised by Tuiloma Walterlee Imo and his wife has also garnered international attention.

They aim to promote the sport of CrossFit and provide a platform for local and international athletes to showcase their skills, this groundbreaking event is generating significant anticipation. CrossFit is quite popular in Samoa.

Scheduled to take place at Gym 1 in Tuanaimato on 22 June, the event promises exciting athleticism and fierce competition. As Tuiloma described the scale of the competition, "First ever licensed CrossFit competition in the whole of the Pacific." 

Tuiloma, owner of My Fit Samoa is currently coaching the six teams who will represent his gym at the competition, he said the event has been in the works for well over a year after they trialed a mini CrossFit competition last year, but only for members of his gym. 

"It was successful for our gym members and they said we can do it. So, I trusted them that we can do it," said Tuiloma.

Now, with the competition just around the corner, the gym members have been training daily, with Tuiloma adding that new faces have also joined the sport. 

 "We've got enough athletes here now. And if we want to grow the sport, representing your country, or being the best in your country or in the Pacific brings people to do it, whether they're elite athletes or people new to the sport," said Tuiloma.

The competition has already exceeded expectations, as Tuiloma revealed, "So, my target goal was 20 teams. And so far, we have 22 teams. So, we're kind of over by two teams. It restructures how we're going to run the day."

Teams from New Zealand, American Samoa, and local gyms are gearing up to participate, with a total of eight teams confirmed from American Samoa, three from New Zealand, six from My Fit Samoa, and the rest from local gyms. There will be three divisions the highest division being the RX, followed by Scale and Masters. Each division will see two females and two males compete within their teams. 

"We have a majority, about 90 per cent here. So, we'll be shifting our gym to Gym 1 at Tuanaimato,” he said.

The support and collaboration among local gyms ahead of the competition have been acknowledged by Tuiloma.

"We're also going to be using some other equipment from the HPU. Other gyms have offered whatever we need to make it happen. So, we're actually working together as Samoa to make sure that we host the nationals," said Tuioma

According to Tuiloma, the Samoa Nationals Throwdown is set to invigorate the CrossFit community in the Pacific and underline the sport's potential for further growth and recognition in the region.