CrossFit Apia held their inaugural games after the My Fit gym became affiliated with the International high intensity fitness company becoming only the second gym in Samoa to do so.

The games were called the Party of Four at the Tuanaimato Gym 1 Sports Complex and were made up of four individuals of the same gender competing in three separate divisions.

The organiser of the event, Tuiloma Walterlee Imo from CrossFit Apia said they have moved from having their regular in-house games to one where they can host and invite other gyms to be a part of their high-intensity games.

“This is our first ever game called Party of Four. We normally do our in-house games at our gym with our members but since we became affiliated with the CrossFit brand in November last year, we thought we should spread the word out on CrossFit in Samoa.” 

He said CrossFit is not just about lifting weights, running or doing one particular exercise but about bringing that all together so it can cater to everyone.

“This is a little taste of what we can do here in Samoa. This is international standards and we can do all these things even though we are a small country with a few gyms we can make things happen when we come together,” he said

“The people participating are from all walks of life. We’ve got paddling teams, touch and tag players, weightlifters and rugby league players and we’ve got mothers and fathers who stay home and don't do any sports and come down to the gym. 

"It’s good for you, especially in Samoa where we have a lot of chronic diseases that we can get rid of by simply moving.”

Now that they have officially hosted their first CrossFit games, he said that this will be something that all their members are going to train towards and list as one of their main goals every year. 

“There is an aim for when they train and the CrossFit Apia games are the pinnacle of what they are training towards. I hope that everyone that comes to watch will also become encouraged.”

Now that there are two CrossFit gyms in Samoa, he hopes that they will be able to hold bigger and better competitions with the purpose of encouraging all Samoans to be a part of an active lifestyle no matter their age.

Such as Tauvaga Falagi, 58, of Vaisigano, who is one of the oldest women in the competition. Yet this did not hold her back from running alongside the younger athletes.

“I believe that these kinds of activities are important for everyone and just because you are old like me, doesn’t mean you can’t do it. You have got to try and keep your body active and thank God for the strength that he gives you and me,” she said. “This is for everyone including the elderly, not just for the youth, but for all to make use of their God-given talent.”

Age is not a restriction and Tauvaga wholeheartedly believes that if she can do it, then anyone else can too.