Acting Governor Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr welcomed the off island teams competitng in the 2025 Oceania Wrestling Championships which began Thursday.
Ethan Lake, President of the United World Wrestling Oceania Council and also President of the American Samoa Wrestlers Association, led the opening ceremony at Lee Auditorium Thursday afternoon.
President of the American Samoa National Olympic Committee Ed Imo, Director of the American Samoa Visitors Bureau Taimalelagi Minnie Tuia and leaders of various sports organizations were present.
After the opening prayer, there wsa a parade of officials, coaches and teams from Samoa New Zealand, Australia, Kiribati, Tahiti, Palau, the Marshall Islands, Tonga and American Samoa.
Don Ryan, an executive of the United World Wrestling Association extended thanks to the hosts.
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Acting Governor Pulu reminded the athletes that as they compete they should remember who they represent.
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Pulu received applause when he said with the Governor being off island he is now the Governor and can take care of anything that the visiting teams may want.
The men and women teams are competing in Freestyle, Greco Roman and Beach Wrestling.
Matches got underway Thursday morning and continue today Friday at the Lee Auditorium. On Saturday is the final category, Beach Wrestling, at Sadie’s by the Sea, where all the teams are staying.
This is the second time that American Samoa is hosting the Oceania Wrestling Championships. The first time was in 2014.
Photos: ASG
