Team Tonga will arrive at the Oceania Athletics Championships in Darwin riding strong momentum from the Oceania Cup Nuku’alofa 2025 and the 2026 Polynesian Championships.

The squad combines experienced internationals with rising young talent ready to challenge Oceania’s best across the track and field program.

Led by three-time Oceania champion Ata Maama Tu’utafaiva, Tonga once again boasts one of the Pacific’s premier throwing athletes. Tu’utafaiva enters Darwin chasing a third consecutive Oceania title in the women’s shot put after years of dominance on the regional stage.

“I am blessed and proud to have this opportunity to represent my little island, the Kingdom of Tonga,” Tu’utafaiva said.

“I hope that what I’m doing and also what I have achieved in the past years will push the generations now and in the future. If I can do it then anyone can do it. As the Tongan motto says, God and Tonga are my inheritance.”

Tonga’s strength in the throws continues with athletes including Susana Latu, who has impressed domestically in both shot put and javelin, while the squad also features strong representation across sprints, jumps, para athletics and middle distance events.

Among the athletes to watch are Ofa Tuifua and Angelina Tupou, who have both shown versatility across hurdles, jumps and sprint events at recent Tongan and Polynesian Championships.

World Championships representative Titali Kolomalu continues to make strides on the track after claiming the U23 100m and 200m titles at the Tongan Championships earlier this year, before backing it up with strong performances at the Polynesian Championships. Kolomalu is part of an exciting new wave of Tongan sprinting talent emerging onto the Oceania stage.

Hunter Jahnke will also be one to watch in the U20 sprint events, continuing to close in on Tonga’s Open national records in both the 100m and 200m. Earlier this season, Jahnke ran under the national 60m record mark, although conditions prevented the performance from being officially recognised.

In the throwing events, Penisimani Taeiloa is quickly establishing himself as one of Tonga’s rising stars. After winning double gold at both the Tongan School Championships and Polynesian Championships in 2026, Taeiloa shapes as a major prospect in the discus and shot put.

The squad features many athletes who impressed at the Polynesian Championships, reflecting the continued growth and depth of athletics in Tonga.

Team Tonga also includes para athletes Penisimani Sakalia (T64) and Etuini Tolu (T43), highlighting the nation’s continued commitment to inclusive athletics pathways and representation across the Championships.

Support Team Tonga at the Oceania Athletics Championships at Arafura Stadium in Darwin from May 18–23.