Australia Claims Oceania Cup Title as Records Fall in Nuku‘alofa
The 2025 Oceania Cup came to a close at Teufaiva Stadium with Team Australia crowned champions, finishing ahead of Team Melanesia and Team Polynesia after three days of strong performances across track and field.
The final day produced several standout moments and national records. Lakona Gerega of Papua New Guinea broke his own national record in the Men’s Javelin, extending the mark by more than a metre. In the 3000m, Tania Tan set two new national records for the Northern Mariana Islands, while Simeon Jacob of the Federated States of Micronesia also rewrote the record books with a national best.
The field events continued to deliver big performances. Nathaniel Sulupo completed the Shot Put/Discus double for Team Polynesia. Australia’s Ashlyn Blackstock dominated the Women’s Discus, winning by more than nine metres.
In the Long Jump, Samuela Vunivalu broke the 7m barrier for the first time to win the men’s event, while Katie Gunn impressed once again for Team Australia, taking victory in the women’s competition.
The Masters divisions saw consistent performances across age groups. Glenys Whitehead topped the Women’s 60+ Discus, while Adrien Fleming won the Men’s Masters Long Jump. Tonga secured the top spot in the Masters Javelin 30–59, with Viliami Loti Founa returning to the circle to win the Men’s 60+ Discus. Sekona Vi of Tonga claimed the Polynesian lead in that event, finishing ahead of competitors from the Cook Islands and New Zealand.
New Zealand’s May Phillips added 10 valuable points for her team, throwing over 48 metres to win the Women’s Javelin. In the Masters 30–59 category, Sharon Toako reached 43 metres to take the title in the Masters.
Australia closed the meet with commanding relay performances, winning both the Mixed 4x100m and Mixed 4x400m for double points.
Middle-distance events saw a close trans-Tasman battle in the 800m. Jag Willers of New Zealand took the men’s title, while Australia’s Ashley Pernecker led from start to finish in the women’s race. Masters sprinters Lee-Anne Nelson and Hansel Whippy both completed the sprint double, adding 200m titles to their earlier 100m wins.
In the 200m, Mia de Jager earned 10 points for New Zealand, while Joseph Randolph scored full points for Team Hawaii in the men’s event. Daniel Baul continued his form for Team Melanesia, winning the 400m Hurdles, while Pernecker added another 10 points for Australia in the women’s race.
Tonga and French Polynesia continued to perform strongly in the invitational events, closing out a memorable three days of Pacific competition.
Masters and Invitational events complete the Day 4 line-up.
Day 4 Schedule https://athleticsoceania.anet.live/meets/58216
Day 4 Live Stream: Oceania Athletics Facebook page
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