A Vava‘u student’s decision to wear sunglasses during a 100m race has sparked curiosity, but it’s far from a first in the world of elite athletics.
Olympic middle-distance star Josh Kerr famously donned shades while winning the 1500m at the 2023 World Championships, proving that eyewear can be as much about focus as flair.
As Kerr eyes Paris gold, could Tonga’s up-and-coming runners be taking inspiration from the pros?
Is Tonga’s next generation of runners taking notes from the best?
The 2025 Tonga Secondary Schools Athletics Competition began yesterday, 8 April, at Nuku’alofa’s Teufaiva Stadium.
This is the 98th edition of the event.
The Vava’u student Sōsefo Po’oi turned heads at the Tonga Secondary Schools Athletics Competition by racing the 100m in sunglasses, a move that left many spectators baffled. He won his heat.
“This is weird,” one onlooker remarked, while others admitted they’d “never seen anything like this before.”
But what seemed like an odd fashion choice in Tonga might actually be a tactical inspiration from elite runners like Kerr, who famously wore shades.
Student athletes from across Tongatapu and the outer islands gathered on Tuesday to compete, with the first event being the Junior Girls’ 1500m race (three laps of the track).
However, the race ended in confusion when the apparent winner, a Mo‘unga ‘Olive College student, stopped at the finish line after two laps, mistakenly believing she had completed the race.
Track officials confirmed she had one lap remaining, nullifying her lead. ‘Apifo‘ou College was later declared the official winner of the event.
As Kaniva News reported, the Tonga Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (TASANOC) has conducted workshops ahead of this year’s competition to educate students on the importance of competing free from illicit drugs.
With Tonga currently facing a drug crisis, Tonga Health is supporting secondary schools in emphasising a healthy, drug-free environment at the 2025 Tonga Secondary Schools Athletics Competition.
The event at Nuku’alofa’s Teufaiva Stadium runs for four days until Friday, 11 April.
