Judoka William Tai Tin encourages young athletes of Samoa to be who they want to be and know that there is always a sacrifice to be made.

Will fell at the starting blocks in his Olympic event after he lost his bout to his Tanzanian opponent. He believes everything in life teaches a lesson.

"Be daring, be ambitious, be who you want to be. Nothing comes easy but never let that stop you from striving for greatness," he said.

"Sometimes to reach the peak of our careers requires a sacrifice of yourself that can see tears and heartbreak but we are warriors. We continue to fight and with determination, patience and the right support. We all have the capacity to be extraordinary.

"Competition was incredible. Like many athletes, preparation for such an event started years ago so for the big day to finally arrive was such a massive milestone."

Will was in awe of the support he received from all the other Samoan Olympians who cheered him on from the grandstand. He has never competed in front of a bigger crowd before.

"The atmosphere was electrifying and the arena itself was like no other venue that I've competed in. As I was walking out onto the competition floor, I could hear the team and supporters yell out encouragement and that just added to my readiness for battle," he said. 

"It can be a strange feeling not being nervous but that was my reality. I walked out there and felt that for this moment in time, it was mine.

"Not once have I reflected and said "what went wrong". Sure, the result didn't go my way but I know that I left everything I had in that arena and I'm confident that Samoa witnessed the same. 

"Competitive sport, especially combat sports, is unforgiving but you know when you've put in the performance of your life, and in my heart I left nothing in reserve so I can walk away from these games unashamedly proud."

Will could not describe what his Olympic experience was like but he is proud of how he represented Samoa in the judo sport.

"I haven't quite found the right words to describe my first Olympic experience. It's still sinking in. There is an "Olympic feeling" that can't quite be explained, it's something that's lived and I know this feeling is shared by many other Olympians," he said. 

"What I can say, is that it is an event like no other and the sense of pride I have in competing and representing Samoa, my family and friends, continues to keep the fire burning within."