Shaka Sola

Shaka Sola (born 14 March 1977) is a Samoan shot putter and discus thrower[1] who became a popular if surprising star at the 2005 World Championships in Athletics.

Shaka Sola
Personal information
Born (1977-03-14) March 14, 1977
Motootua
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight110 kg (240 lb)
Sport
Country Samoa
SportAthletics
Event(s)Shot put
Updated on 23 May 2015.

Career

At the 2005 World Championships in Athletics, Sola arrived late, having missed his flight from Samoa, and did not reach the games until his specialist event (shot put) had completed. As compensation, he asked to be allowed to compete in the javelin, although he had never previously thrown a javelin.

Sola finished last in the event by a considerable distance, throwing the javelin 41.18 metres, over 17 metres less than the next worst competitor. He was roundly applauded and supported by the other javelin throwers, however, all of whom were aware of the reasons for his participation in that event.

Sola, though not a spectacular javelin thrower, is more than capable in his own sports. He won gold at the 2004 Oceania Athletics Championships in both discus (with a games record of 53.79m) and shot put (17.86m), and represented Samoa in the discus at the 2004 Olympic Games.

In 2005, Sola competed in the South Pacific Mini Games for the first time, winning two medals - one gold and one silver. He first competed in the shot put, throwing 17.74 metres and winning his medal of the games. Sola then competed in the discus and came second place with a throw of 49.33.

Personal bests

EventResultVenueDate
Shot put18.12 m Wellington8 Mar 2003
Discus throw58.82 m Wellington12 Feb 2005
Hammer throw44.34 m Suva9 Jul 2003
Javelin throw41.18 m Helsinki9 Aug 2005

Achievements

YearCompetitionVenuePositionEventNotes
Representing  Samoa
1996 Oceania Junior Championships Townsville, Australia 4th Shot put 14.20m
3rd Discus 48.04 m
2003 South Pacific Games Suva, Fiji 2nd Shot put 15.97 m
1st Discus 50.46 m
4th Hammer 44.34m
2004 Oceania Championships Townsville, Australia 1st Shot put 17.86 m CR
1st Discus 53.79 m CR
3rd Hammer 45.94 m
Olympic Games Athens, Greece 36th (q) Discus 51.10m
2005 South Pacific Mini Games Koror, Palau 1st Shot put 17.74 m
2nd Discus 49.33 m
4th Hammer 40.82m
World Championships Helsinki, Finland 31st (q) Javelin 41.18m
2006 Commonwealth Games Melbourne, Australia 10th Shot put 16.47m
12th Discus 47.74m
2007 Pacific Games Apia, Samoa 1st Shot put 16.77 m
2nd Discus 48.73 m
2009 Polynesian Championships Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia 1st Shot put 16.19m
2nd Discus 45.14m
Pacific Mini Games Rarotonga, Cook Islands 2nd Shot put 16.16 m
6th Discus 42.70m
2011 Oceania Championships (Regional Division East) Apia, Samoa 2nd Shot put 15.29 m
1st Discus 43.10 m
2nd Hammer 36.04 m
Pacific Games Nouméa, New Caledonia 3rd Shot put 16.17 m
6th Discus 43.01m
2014 Oceania Championships Rarotonga, Cook Islands 4th Shot put 14.90m
4th Discus 40.01m
3rd Hammer 34.23m
Oceania Masters Championships (35y-39y) Rarotonga, Cook Islands 1st Shot put 15.04m
1st Discus 40.07m

References


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