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<\/p>\nFiji’s Jasmine Daunakamakama says a Commonwealth Games bronze medal has only made her more determined to return stronger after sharing the ring with one of boxing’s best.<\/p>\n
The 57kg boxer was beaten in the semifinals by Northern Ireland’s Birmingham 2022 champion Michaela Walsh on Friday. <\/p>\n
Under Commonwealth Games boxing rules, both losing semifinalists receive bronze medals.<\/p>\n
Despite the defeat, Daunakamakama said the experience had only strengthened her belief.<\/p>\n
“It was a privilege” to share the ring with Walsh, she told FBC. “When I get back to Fiji, I’m going to work even harder, push myself, so I can come back even stronger.”<\/p>\n
Daunakamakama’s medal was matched by Tuvalu’s Tarona Khanum Badi Pasoni Taafaki, who also claimed bronze after losing her women’s 75kg semifinal to India’s Lovlina Borgohain.<\/p>\n
Watch Tuvalu boxer Tarona Khanum Badi Pasoni Taafaki after her bronze win in Glasgow below.<\/p>\n
For Taafaki, the medal was about more than standing on the podium.<\/p>\n
“Everyone’s that asking me my entire life where I’m from and I say I’m Tuvaluan, they don’t even know where that is, if it’s like Pacific country or African country,” she told World Boxing.<\/p>\n
“For Tuvaluans specifically I just encourage them to go out, do whatever they want, go make it big. Me being able to get a bronze at the Commonwealth [Games] should inspire other Tuvaluans out there.”<\/p>\n
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S\u0101moa’s multi-time Olympian Alex Rose will contest the men’s discus final at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, aiming to add another athletics medal to the Pacific tally. Photo\/Oceania Athletics<\/p>\n
The result continues a strong boxing campaign for Pacific nations in Glasgow, with medals already secured by Fiji and Tuvalu and more athletes still chasing podium finishes.<\/p>\n
Attention now turns to another busy day for Pacific competitors.<\/p>\n
S\u0101moa’s Alex Rose and Tonga’s Penisimani Taeiloa will contest the men’s discus final while Papua New Guinea’s Jerome Bunge lines up in the men’s shot put final.<\/p>\n
Pacific judokas from Fiji, S\u0101moa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Nauru are also in action while Fiji, Tonga, Cook Islands and Niue continue their lawn bowls campaigns.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Tonga signed off from its first Commonwealth Games netball tournament with a 63-53 win over Wales to finish ninth.<\/p>\n
Coach Jaqua Pori Makea Simpson said the team’s rise was already changing sport back home.<\/p>\n
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Tonga’s Tala finish ninth after defeating Wales 63-53 in their first Commonwealth Games netball tournament. Coach Jaqua Pori Makea Simpson said the team’s success is inspiring more young girls in Tonga to take up netball and sport. Photo\/Glasgow2026<\/p>\n
“Tonga have a proud history in rugby and we’re very proud of our boys, but our young girls didn’t have anyone to look up to,” she said.<\/p>\n
“In the past four years, since the tables started to turn for us on the world stage, everything has changed. Participation rates in Tonga have gone through the roof.<\/p>\n
“So many more young girls are playing Netball – and not just Netball, but sport (generally).”<\/p>\n
Goal shoot Uneeq Palavi, who scored 49 goals against Wales, summed up what the win meant for the Tala.<\/p>\n
“I feel like this is a gold medal for us,” she said. “We were hungry for that win – to do it for our little nation.”<\/p>\n