Eroni Leilua (born 15 April 1993)[1] is a Samoan sailor. He competed in the Laser event at the 2020 Summer Olympics,[2][3] becoming the first Samoan to represent the country in that event.[4][5]

Eroni Leilua
Personal information
NationalitySamoan
Born (1993-04-15) 15 April 1993 (age 31)
Sport
SportSailing
Coached byIan Neelly
Medal record
Men's Sailing
Representing  Samoa
Pacific Games
Silver medal – second place 2019 Apia Team Laser Radial
Bronze medal – third place 2011 Nouméa Team Laser

Biography

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Leilua is from Vaivase Uta in Upolu.[6][7] He grew up in Samoa but moved to Auckland, New Zealand at the age of 12 with his family.[8] He subsequently studied commerce and physical education at the University of Otago.[8]

He represented Samoa at two Pacific Games and a world sailing championship before competing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.[4][9] At the 2011 Pacific Games in Nouméa he won bronze (alongside Myka Stanley) in the team laser competition. At the 2019 Pacific Games in Apia he came fourth in the individual Laser Radial,[10] but won gold (alongside Nicky Touli) in the men's team competition.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "Eroni Leilua". Olympedia. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  2. ^ "Sailing: Laser - Overall Results". Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  3. ^ "Sailing: LEILUA Eroni". Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Archived from the original on 4 October 2021.
  4. ^ a b Bethel Peato Ale (31 August 2021). "Olympian sets sail for Paris". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  5. ^ World Sailing - Pre Tokoyo 2020 Interview. 24 July 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  6. ^ Hyunsook Siutaia (29 July 2020). "Funding a challenge for Samoan sailor". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  7. ^ "Sport: Samoan sailor says cost of participation a barrier for Pasifika". RNZ. 26 February 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Q and A: Olympic sailor Eroni Leilua". University of Otago. 17 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  9. ^ "Official Tokoyo 2020 Website - Athlete Profile Page". Archived from the original on 4 October 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  10. ^ a b Sapeer Mayron (19 July 2019). "Silver for Team Samoa Laser Standard". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
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