Oceania Athletics Championships saw 1100 athletes come from across Oceania to compete in Suva, Fiji for a truly inclusive area Championships, the first of its kind in the world. On and off track the engagement from all was fantastic to see.
On track the Oceania Invitational was the first Continental Bronze Tour meet to be held in the Pacific Islands. The meet was important for the Senior athletes chasing valuable points towards the Olympic Games. Following the Invitational, 7 days of action-packed athletics that saw many National and Championships Records Broken.
The Oceania Masters Athletics Championships ran throughout the 8 days of competition with athletes across Oceania aged 30 through to 92. The Masters continued to break Championship, National and Oceania records throughout the competition. The highlight was Fijian Prime Minister Sitveni Rabuka (FIJI)competing in the 75+ Discus and Shot Put taking home a Bronze Medal in the later. He spoke after the event, He hoped his efforts encouraged the youth and community to engage in competitive sport and healthy lifestyles.
The Oceania Para Athletics Championships was a vital in the preparations for the Paralympics for Athletes particularly the ambulatory and seated throwing events featuring athletes on route to Paris, Regina Edwards (PNG), Ellie Enock (VAN), Selina Seau (FIJ), and Naibili Vatunisolo (FIJ). The events also saw athletes fresh off their return from the World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe bringing a wealth of experience to the field.
Chasing the valuable qualification points and Olympic Qualifiers was the aim for the Senior athletes across the competition. Many breaking national and Championship records in the process. Australia and New Zealand brought strong teams to make steps on the Road to Paris and it showed claiming many steps upon the podium throughout the event including 2023 World Championships Bronze Medallist Mackenzie Little (AUS) and Olympic Bronze Medallist Ashley Moloney (AUS).
The significance of the Area Championships was spoken about by 100m Champion Joshua Azzopardi (AUS): “To be crowned Oceania Champion is just amazing and to get the win I’m just stoked about that. This sets me up well for next year having a Semi Final and Final time, as a base, and I can work off that.”
Host nation Fiji took their first Gold Medal of the Senior Area Championship taking out the Men’s 4x400m. In the Out of Stadia event, Yeshnil Karan broke the Fiji Half Marathon record at the Munro Leys Suva Marathon,.
Under 18s showed the future is bright for athletics in Oceania with Championship Record breaking performances throughout. Host Nation Fiji won their first Area Medal in the first event with Reki Selita Roberts winning Bronze in the U18 Heptathlon. Award recipients: Arthur Eustace Shield – Most Outstanding Performance by an Under 18 at the Championships Daniel Williams (AUS) & Tammin Lampret (AUS) Lesley Cantwell Memorial Walks Trophy: Bailey Housden (AUS)
School, club and national teams went to battle in the u16 & u20 Teams Championships. Pacific Games High Jump Champion Rusiate Matau (FIJ) jumping a new personal best to maximise points for his team. French Polynesia Teams were dominate in the U16 divisions, and the Fiji Teams proving strong in the u20 events.
The event was made possible by 200 Technical Officials 150 local to Fiji. A testament to the leadership and guidance of the late Master Vuli Waqa. Taravina Nabainivalu made history and became Fiji Athletics’ first female starter. Under the guidance of the officials present, she started the races at the Championships. The Technical Officials worked collectively and collaboratively to make the Championships happen and we thank them for the time, and expertise.
Off track the Coaches Hub was buzz with workshops from ORADO, Strength and Conditioning Coaches, Wellbeing professionals, current coaches and athletes. Creating a learning environment beyond the track. The Coaches hub also hosted the New Zealand Prime Minister who visited Team NZL during the Championships.
ONOC’s Voices of the Athletes partnered to assist with the inaugural voting of the Oceania Athletes Commission as well as providing health information activities at their activation.
The Championships were electric and with something always happening on or off the track. We can’t for the next edition in 2026. We thank all our partners and sponsors for support of the 2024 Oceania Athletics Championships.