Alex Rose; Rising to the Occasion
Alex Rose, Samoa’s record breaking discus throw, is preparing for another shot at history at the World Athletics Championships. The first Oceania man to throw beyond 70 metres, Rose owns the Samoan national record at 71.48m an is already both an Olympic finalist and two-time World Athletics Championships finalist.
Rose first discovered discus when his high school chemistry teacher noticed his long wingspan and encouraged him to try the event. What began as an experiment quickly grew into a career that now sees him representing Samoa and the Pacific onto the world stage. Representing his father’s homeland is especially meaningful, with Rose describing it as a way of staying connected to his cultural roots and showcasing the strength of Pacific identity. “When I have success on the international stage, I feel proud to carry that with me and represent Samoa. I was the first Olympic and World Championships finalist for Samoa, and one of the first in recent history for the entire Pacific. To one day earn a World or Olympic medal would mean everything — not just for me, but for Samoa, for the Pacific, and for everyone I represent.”
This season has brought both challenges and joy. Rose and his wife recently welcomed their second child, balancing sleepless nights and family responsibilities with the demands of training. Despite the interruptions, he has managed some of the best throws of his career in practice, finding motivation in his role as both an athlete and father.
Rose is targeting a place on the podium, with ambitions of surpassing his career-best finish of eighth at the 2022 World Championships. A throw beyond 67 metres in a major final would also mark another significant milestone. “Making a final is always a huge accomplishment in itself, but it would mean so much to place higher than I ever have before. On top of that, throwing 67 meters or further in a stadium setting would be a massive milestone and something I’d be really proud of.”
He is excited to compete in what he describes as one of the strongest generations of discus throwers, and hopes Oceania can again be represented by himself, Australia’s Matt Denny, and New Zealand’s Connor Bell in the final. Collectively the three have the top 16 furthest throws in Oceania, all-time.
Away from the field, Rose comes from a musical family and enjoys jamming with relatives on guitar, drums, bass, and keyboards. His message to young Pacific athletes is grounded in consistency and learning: “If you truly have a passion, become a diligent student of the sport. There’s so much knowledge available online now, and you can learn a tremendous amount by doing your own research and seeking advice from people you respect — whether that’s fellow athletes who are performing well, coaches, or even professional athletes sharing insights online. The key is to keep asking questions, keep refining your craft, and understand that success is a marathon, not a sprint. If you stay diligent and consistent,the results will come.”
You can catch Alex is the Discus Qualifying A at the World Athletics Championships.
9AM 20th September – Local Time
You can follow the World Athletics Championships here