A competitor from American Samoa Fiapa’i Ellio has placed second at the first ever world champion in the sport of coconut tree climbing.
He was just one hundredth of a second behind the winner, from the Cook Islands, George Iona, who led the field of 16.
The competition was held in the garden of the Tahiti Museum.
Radio Tahiti reports that Ellio was the pre race favorite.
Tahiti TMTV says the objective of the new sport is simple: Climb the tree as quickly as possible, with each climber being given two attempts to post their best time.
The winning tactic appears to entail wearing a loop of rough rope around the ankles, allowing better purchase on the trunk.
Event organizer Enoch Laughlin said that Mr Iona’s triumph came as a big surprise, as everyone had expected the Samoan athlete to win following his impressive performance in previous heats.
The victor simply told reporters that he was “proud and happy to have won this championship.”
