The Year That Was Of Samoa's Sporting Achievements 2022
Samoa’s Flag At The Parliament House.
Photo: Government of Samoa
2022 has truly been a great year for Samoan Sports and its athletes as witnessed throughout this year in some of the biggest sporting arenas in the world which include the Rugby League World Cup (R.L.W.C) in the United Kingdom, the World Sevens Series, the Commonwealth Games, and other regional competitions our athletes took part in.
This article serves as a token of Eyespy Radio's appreciation of all Samoa's athletes, teams, and sporting bodies whose hard work and achievements this year have put Samoa on the map and also recognised as a sporting powerhouse even though it is a tiny island located in the South Pacific Ocean.
Let us start by thanking our courageous heroes who donned on the blue jersey of Toa Samoa and represented our tiny nation with pride on the international stage.
A lot of people around the globe doubted the Toa Samoa ever making it to the knockout stages of the R.L.W.C after England utterly thrashed them 60 - 6 during their first encounter in the pool stages of the tournament. However, the loss served as a wake up call for the Toa as they went on to win all their remaining pool matches against France and Greece to go through to the quarterfinals against long-time rival Mate Ma'a Tonga.
Toa Samoa At The R.L.W.C In England.
Photo: R.L.W.C
The world witnessed a lot of emotions from both teams as Tonga and Samoa performed the "sipi tau" and the "siva tau" at the start of their clash. It was a game that went down to the wire, thankfully our boys' outstanding defence managed to deny Mate Ma'a a spot in the semifinals winning 20-18.
In the semifinal clash against England, many of the fans and supporters of the host side predicted that England will beat Samoa again in the same fashion as they did in their first encounter.
But this time the tables were turned as Stephen Crichton's "history making" drop goal went through the goalposts to beat the home side by just one point, Samoa 27 - England 26.
Pandemonium hit Samoa that Sunday morning when the Toa beat England, the whole of Samoa were yelling "Cheehoo" and celebrating the victory with dance and song as seen on social media.
Even though the Toa did not win the finale against the Australian Kangaroos, what they achieved has forever put Samoa in the history books as the first tier two nation to make it to the final. Faafetai Toa Samoa!
Manu Samoa Sevens
Photo: Eyespy Radio
Then there is the story of our Manu Samoa Sevens who won the Cape Town leg of the World Sevens Series, breaking a 6-year gold-medal drought. Muliagatele Brian Lima and his boys have brought back memories of when the Manu Samoa Sevens won the World Series back in 2010. Since rejoining the Series this year, the Manu Sevens have looked formidable, making it to the quarterfinals of every tournament they've been in so far. Well done Muliagatele and also to the Manu Sevens boys for giving it their all and making our people proud.
Don Opeloge who won a gold-medal in the men's 96 kg event at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Photo: Supplied
Eyespy Radio would also like to acknowledge the efforts of our weightlifting team this year and their coach Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork, as well as Don Opeloge who won a gold-medal in the men's 96 kg event at the 2022 Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham, England. Malo lava le tausinio.
Manu Samoa Under-20s who recently returned home with the Oceania Junior Rugby Cup
Photo: Lakapi Samoa
We would also like to acknowledge our Under-20s Manu Samoa who recently returned home with the Oceania Junior Rugby Cup, as well as the Manusina Rugby team who participated in the Womens Rugby World Cup.
Anne Cairns with Family in Samoa.
Photo: Anne Cairns
Not forgetting veteran paddler Anne Cairns, who recently secured Samoa's very first silver medal at the I.V.F World Sprint Championships last August.
Tupuola Ato Faoagali and Marion Ah Tong
Photo: Supplied
We also thank and recognise the achievements of our two newly turned professional boxers Tupuola Ato Faoagali and Marion Ah Tong who won their debut bouts last month. They've been representing Samoa in the Olympic games and other prestigious competitions during their amateur days of boxing
Manu Samoa 15s rugby team who won the Pacific Nations Cup this year
Photo: Supplied
We'd also like to congratulate and acknowledge our Manu Samoa 15s rugby team who won the Pacific Nations Cup this year. We'd also like to wish them luck as they prepare for the Rugby World Cup in two year's time in Paris. O you mama na Boys!
To all of our athletes representing our nation worldwide in different sporting codes, we would also like to thank you and show appreciation for all the hard work you have carried out this year. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year from us at eyespy Radio. Soifua ma ia Manuia!