First Olympic Samoan Sailor to compete in Tokyo

By Seia Lavilavi Soloi

Samoa will have its representative at the Olympic Games for the sport of sailing after 

 Eroni Leilua will be the first Olympics Samoan sailor to compete in Tokyo.

 An email respond from Eroni says the journey that he has been through is something that he could take on for the rest of his life.

“I have been sailing for the past 17years, I began sailing at Apia Yacht Club at the age of 10 and completed in my first international regatta at the age of 12. Since it my first event I have been fortunate to represent Samoa at the number of International events with the goal of one day being the first sailor to represent Samoa at the Olympics”

Eroni compete at the 2020 Laser Standard Championships in Melbourne on February and was successful making him qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Due to Covid-19 pandemic that mostly every country has their border closure causing the postponed of the Olympic Games was expected to hold 2020.

“The Olympics being postponed one year worked in my favor as it gives me an extra year to train, however it also meant more money”

“Unfortunately I am very lucky to have had financial support from fundraisers, sponsors and donations which has gotten me this far but I am looking to do more to get me through the last 3months as sailing is an expensive sport”

Balancing work and trading at the same time is one difficult matter that Eroni went through for his final preparation 

“Training is going well at the moment” in an email respond

“But has been difficult at times trying to balance full-time job training but I am happy with the progress which I am making with my circumstances and look forward in representing Samoa proudly in Tokyo”

The Olympics Game will kick off on the 23 of July 2021 at Tokyo.

Commercial Manager for Swire Shipping for Pacific Islands, Mr Iain Stewart says it’s an honor to support our locally talent and athlete in events like Mr Leilua have received for his preparation for the Olympics Game

“Swire Shipping is most honored to be given the opportunity to support local talent”

“As a business, we aim to create lasting value for our shareholder and we recognize that our success depends on thriving people and communities and a thriving natural environment and thus, we are pleased to work and support communities wherever we operate”

“From Mr Leilua display immense dedication and perseverance towards achieving victory in the Olympic Games and we hope our sponsorship as a motivating factor”

Raema Von Reiche, President of Samoa Sailing Association (S.A.A) speaks on behalf of the Association thanking the effort in supporting Eroni as he will be the first samoan sailor who will be representing Samoa in Tokyo this year.

“Eroni has carried the Samoan flag proudly in his calling career and we are also proud that he has qualified to Olympic level and will represent Samoa at this ultimate level of World Competition”

“Samoa Sailing Association at Mulinuu have a Learn to sail program at the Apia Yacht Club, Mulinuu on small boats called Optimists, back in 2002 Samoa first hosted a Oceania Optimist class Championship at the AYC, the Championship hosted a young sailors from the whole Oceania region and gave us the opportunity to purchase 30 of these small Optimist boats and we are still comtimue to use, even today to teach young children to sail”

“Eroni and his older siblings learnt to sail on these boats and it was here that their interest and love for sailing was nurtured, he first represented Samoa in a Inter Island Regatta in Am Samoa and later in other Regional Regattas & Pacific Games around Oceania. Once Eroni had progressed out of the Optimist Dinghy he went into larger single man Dinghy called a Laser, laser is the class used at Olympic level and one of the most sailed single class dinghies in the Oceania’’

Leilua was one of the eight competitors representing Samoa in the South Pacific Games in 2019 which the youngest is an 11-year old Ilai Craig competing for Paralympic Games in the Oceania Championship, on the same year S.S.A welcomed their new coach from Poland.

South Pacific Games results from 2019 shows each divisions occupied with a winning medal where Eroni Leilua and Nicky Touli won silver in Team event as for Vaimoana Ripley and Bianca Leilua won gold and silver in Individual Laser events. The S.S.A Team also won medals in the Oceania Games which was raced alongside the Pacific Games events.

Raema also took out time thanking those who have stepped up and give the support for Eroni as he is preparing for Olympic in July, 2021.

“Thank you to the Samoan Government and the Apia Yacht Club for their continue support, without all this individuals and companies we could not have given Eroni the support he needs and continues to need on this Olympic pathway”

Leilua have the passion of competing for the 2024 Games in Paris but as of now Tokyo and making Samoa proud will be his priority than the rest to follow.  

Eroni acknowledge the support of his family and sponsors who have make his career a memorable one. 

“I want to say a big thank you to the following organizations for helping me on my journey this far, Apia Yacht Club, Samoa Sailing Association, Swire Shipping, Samoan Government, Faatasi Crew and MG Marketing”

“Lastly, I want to thank my family, fiancé and my parents for their ongoing love and support. My parents have been on the water at every event I have competed however Tokyo will be my first competition without them, for that reason they will be my biggest motivators when I compete at the Games.
 Eroni Leilua aged 28 comes from villages of Vaivase-uta, Vaiala and Fusi,Safotulafai.

By Seia Lavilavi Soloi

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