FSM Olympic Committee
FSM Information Services
Press Release
Team FSM Participates in 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa
APIA, Samoa—The 2019 Pacific Games are being held in the Independent State of Samoa from July 7th to 20th, 2019. Of the 27 sports being played in areas such as archery and weight-lifting, Team FSM is competing in Track & Field, Boxing, Volleyball, and VA’A (Outrigger Canoeing). Managed by Castro Joab, Alik Jackson, and Loatis Seneres, Team FSM is comprised of Gold Medal-winners from the 2018 Micronesia Games held in Yap and other esteemed athletes, including 2015 Pacific Games Gold Medalist in Boxing, Jennifer Chieng.
The first week of competitions included VA’A and Volleyball competitions, with the FSM Men VA’A competing in V6 (six-men canoeing) in sprint, middle and long distance events. The FSM paddlers are all from the FSM State of Yap, coached by Stanley Magholyalor. The paddlers are: Joseph Mariana Fagoireg, Destry Nakui Yaiungelpiy, Ezer Haleyaeyur, Joeider Luglith, Raymond Fal, Jayven Tachibelmel, Chester Piyerigyal and M’kenzy Mochgel. The men’s V6 sprints (500 meters) preliminaries were held on Tuesday, July 9th and the FSM Men’s team finished 4th Place in their heat behind Wallis and Futuna, Samoa, and the Cook Islands.
The FSM Men’s Volleyball team, from Chuuk, began with their first match vs. New Caledonia on Thursday, July 11th. Coached by Anthony K. Bualuay and Haster Aritos, the FSM athletes are: Franson Lee Aritos, Brandon Lee Aritos, Am Albert, Thorn Aritos, Inet John, Lasty John, Simson John, Canory Masaichy, T-Ranito Thomas Narruhn, Gabriel Saladier. Jayheart Orichiro Siren, and Junior Serious.
Boxing and Athletics will be held the second week of the 2019 Pacific Games. Coached by Erick Divinagracia, FSM Olympian Jennifer Chieng will be the only FSM Boxer competing.
The FSM has six sprinters competing in Samoa. The FSM coach is Rendy Germinaro, and the male runners—all from the FSM State of Chuuk—are: Scott James Fiti, Kiudone David, Francis Rigat, McMahon Oneisom, and Benoni Kin. The one female runner, from the FSM State of Pohnpei, is Darla Jonah. The FSM runners will compete in 100 meter, 200 meter, 400 meter, 4x100 meter relay and 4x400 meter relay.
The FSM National Government provided $150,000 for Team FSM’s airfares, accommodations, insurance, stipends, and uniforms. The FSM Olympic Committee provided over $120,000—funding the Men’s Volleyball team five-week pre-games training camp in Chuuk and FSM Athletics training camps in Guam (10 days), Townsville, Australia (7 days) and Nadi, Fiji (10 days). The FSM Olympic Committee also funded the airfares for the Volleyball and Athletics athletes and coaches, and paid a $10,000 first payment to the Samoa organizing committee for per diem costs for Team FSM for accommodation and meals at the games village at Samoa Methodist College.
The FSM National Government is dedicated towards producing positive and peaceful relationships with all countries and peoples throughout the world. The Government is particularly proud to assist the Nation’s athletes, who represent the FSM’s values of respect and cooperation in people-to-people competitions. The Government wishes Team FSM the best in their competitions.
