Boxing - Tyla McDonald opens Aussie boxing campaign in style

Tyla McDonald started the Aussie boxing pursuit for Paris 2024 quotas in emphatic fashion, stopping local Tracy Koputo within 90 seconds of the first round in the first boxing bout of the entire competition.

With Paris 2024 qualification on the cards for the winners of each Olympic weight division at the Pacific Games, the boxing squad is gearing up for a massive week of fights.

“I feel really good after that, it’s great to get out there and blow the cobwebs out,” Tyla said. “First fight out of three, hopefully I can get back out there and go well on Wednesday.”

Tyla entered the stadium to loud cheers and chants from her teammates, with the entire boxing squad ringside to cheer her on in the packed Friendship Hall venue

“Walking out to that many people was crazy, I don’t think I’ve ever fought in front of that many people before. The atmosphere was so good. Hearing the Aussie boxing chant as I came out was so good – we’re a really close team.”

The campaign for Paris quotas continues tomorrow with Teremoana, Yusuf Chothia, Harry Garside and Shannon Davey all set for their first bouts.

Athletics - Clutch javelin gold for Nash, heptathlon PBs and Aussie runners through to finals

Nash Lowis saved his best for last, launching his sixth and final javelin throw 74.40m to win gold on the opening night of athletics at the Pacific Games.

The 23-year-old Queenslander left his run late, sitting in the bronze medal position before launching his title winning attempt to finish the opening day’s competition on a high.

“It feels unreal to take out this title, Solomon Islands have done such a good job putting on a show,” Nash said.

“Straight off the bat I was struggling to find some rhythm, but luckily enough I could pull it out when it counted on the last throw, happy days.

“I was sitting third going into my final two throws. My coach Lucas just told me to stop thinking about it, go out there and throw. That final throw I was just desperate, gave it some grunt, a ‘get out there.’ Less thinking involved and it just happened.”

Heptathlete Mia Scerri had a scorching first day of competition, setting three PBs to lead the competition heading into tomorrow’s final three events.

“To start the day with a hurdles PB – then follow it up with high jump and shot put PBs, it was a great day out there,” Mia said.

“The local crowd’s insane, they’re getting around every athlete not just the locals, it was an amazing atmosphere all day.

“I want to keep this PB momentum going tomorrow, looking forward to long jump first up, hopefully getting a good result to start the day.”

Sprinters Lachy Kennedy, Calab Law and Georgia Harris all made it through to tomorrow’s final comfortably – Lachy and georgia winning both their respective heats and semi-finals, with Calab second in his semi-final.

Bella Guthrie also opened the day in fast fashion, qualifying through to the 400m hurdles final with the quickest time of all competitors.

800m runner Jack Lunn also eased into the final, winning his heat to automatically progress to contest for medals in tomorrow night’s final.

The athletics competition saw thousands of local fans cheering on the athletes, with bumper crowds expected throughout the week of competitions. 

Sailing - First day of racing for women’s sailboard and men’s laser

ILCA-7 sailors Tom Farley and Isaac Schotte started their Pacific Games campaigns with three second place finishes each.

In the split fleet, each of the Aussies managed to secure second in each of their three races to set themselves up well for the week of racing.

The ILCA-7 fleet includes sailors with a depth of experience, including Tokyo 2020 Olympian from Tonga Eroni Leilua.

Sailboarders Amelia Wilson and Charlotte ‘Lotte’ Wormald also stared their campaigns, with Amelia notching three thirds and Lotte two fourths and a fifth.

Today marks the first day of men’s laser and women’s sailbard racing - after week one featured women’s laser and men’s sailboard.

All four Aussies were thrilled to get onto the water today after supporting their teammates through the last week.

“It was so nice to be out there, I missed it so much,” 16-year-old Amelia said. “At first it was a bit nerve wracking, not knowing what to expect from the other competitors, but it feels so good to get back in the flow of racing. I feel back in my element.

“I got three thirds, the New Caledonia girls are really strong and experienced. They have about 15 kilos on me, so as the wind picked up later in the day they could handle the conditions better. The wind is due to get lighter in the coming week which should suit me more, hopefully I can gain a few points on them.

“Day one of racing, it was important to learn the tide and the wind - the tide completely turned around from last week, so getting that info today will hopefully help us be quicker tomorrow.”

Day 8 events

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