Tuvalu's Tarona Taafaki claims first Commonwealth Games medal despite loss
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 31, 2026, 9:20 PM
Last updated Jul 31, 2026
Tarona Taafaki from Tuvalu secured her country's inaugural Commonwealth Games medal by finishing in the women's 75-kilogram class. Despite losing her bout against India's Lovlina Borgohain, Taafaki was awarded a bronze medal due to the event's format and a lack of competitors. Taafaki’s coach, Badi Taafaki, emphasized the significance of this achievement for Tuvalu, particularly in raising awareness about their climate crisis. Taafaki and her fellow athletes have trained on an airport runway in Tuvalu, which is increasingly threatened by rising sea levels.
- •Tarona Taafaki lost her only bout in the women's 75-kg class.
- •Taafaki received a bronze medal due to the bye system in her event.
- •Her coach highlighted the significance of this medal for Tuvalu.
- •Taafaki trains on the airport runway to prepare for competitions.
- •Tuvalu faces severe risks from climate change, affecting its land and population.
- 9:20 PMYahoo Sports — Boxer earns Tuvalu's first Commonwealth Games medal despite losing her only bout
"A boxer from Tuvalu earned her tiny South Pacific nation's first ever Commonwealth Games medal without winning a fight on Friday. Tarona Taafaki lost her only bout in the women’s 75-kilogram class to India's Lovlina Borgohain, losing every round on all three of the judges' cards. Because there were only five entrants, Taafaki received a bye to the last four, meaning she was automatically guaranteed at least a bronze medal.
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