FIVE athletes from Fiji are part of Team Melanesia for the Oceania Cup Challenge, which began yesterday in Tonga.
The competition will end on Saturday at the Teufaiva Sports Stadium in Nuku’alofa.
The five are Errol Qaqa, Sereana Viriviri, Maryann Macedru, Samuela Vunivalu and Loata Lewageena.
Sprinter Heleina Young, was also part of the team but has withdrawn due to medical reasons.
These athletes were selected following their stellar performances at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Koror, Palau in July this year.
Qaqa, Viriviri, Macedru, Vunivalu and Lewageena attained medals or helped secure them in individual events or relays at the Mini Games
Other countries making up Team Melanesia are Norfolk Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
Papua New Guinea’s athletes includes speedster Pais Wisil, Daniel Baul, Lakona Gerega, Karo Iga, Raylyne Kanam, Monica Kalua, Jiuteuis Robinson and Lucas Osida.
The Solomon Islands are represented in the team by track athlete Stephen Rahuasi, making an appearance after his debut at the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan last month.
International throws representative Taleyah Jones, from the Norfolk Islands, is part of Team Melanesia and her appearance is expected to add depth in the hammer throw event due to her specialist skills in the area.
Another athlete ready to strut their stuff in the regional meet is 2024 Paris Olympian Chloe David from Vanuatu.
The Ni-Van athlete, like Rahuasi from the Solomons, also made an appearance at the World Championships in Tokyo.
Meanwhile, Team Melanesia will be managed by Vaciseva Tavaga from Fiji and Brett Green of PNG.
Tavaga had been an assistant sprints coach during the Palau outing this year.
The competition will end on Saturday.
