Honiara, SOLOMON ISLANDS — Team American Samoa has registered its first medal in the ongoing 2023 Pacific Games in Solomon Islands compliments of its sole Olympian Micah Masei, who won the silver medal in the men’s 50m Breaststroke event of the swimming competition.

Eight swimmers from seven countries competed, two were from New Caledonia.

Micah had plenty of support from other members of Team American Samoa who were not competing on Tuesday evening and were on hand to cheer him on.

Earlier that day, heats for all the swimming events were held and Micah came first with a time of 29.26 seconds and second place went to Tasi Limtiaco of the Federated States of Micronesia.

However in the finals, Tasi Limtiaco overtook him and grabbed gold with a time of 29.17 seconds while Micah Masei settled for silver with a time of 29.48.

Ironically, Micah’s time of 29.26 in the heats was better than in the finals where he clocked in at 29.48 seconds.

 “I guess fatigue set in at the most crucial time of the race as we were nearing the wall,” he stated. 

Asked if he realized that he had won the first medal for American Samoa in the Games, he replied, “That’s crazy! I wish it was a gold medal but then I guess I’m glad I medalled. Thanks to all our team members who turned up to support me tonight. Sorry I couldn’t win gold for you but I’ll do my best tomorrow.”

Micah’s quest for more medals continues on Wednesday, Nov 22, with the heats scheduled at 9:35am and the finals at 6:34pm at the National Aquatics Center.

This Pacific Games report was made possible by the kind sponsorship of Paramount Builders Inc. and ASNOC.