Monday, July 8, 2019 – XVI Pacific Games, Apia, SamoaTeam Guam athletes bore strong winds and rain during the first day of competition at the XVI Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa. The elements forced the postponement of our Tennis team’s first match while creating challenging conditions for others.

Guam swimmers Mineri Gomez and Mark Imazu braved the 2.5 km Open Water Swim through rough current, rain and wind gust to start off Guam’s campaign in the Games held at the Sheraton Beach Resort, Mulifanua. Gomez finished the women’s division in 5th place while 15-year-old Imazu took in 7th in the men’s division.

An hour driver away at Apia Waterfront, the beach volleyball duo of Brian Tsujii and Zakhary Zacarias fell in straight sets to Tonga 21-16 and 21-6. The Tongans took early leads in both sets, dominating net play. In the first set, Guam was able to tie the match at six before Tonga found their groove and pushed ahead for the set 1 win which spilled into the second set for the match.Action continues on Day 2 with Women’s Basketball, Tennis, Beach Volleyball, Men and Women’s Va’a, Weightlifting, Swimming and Men’s Basketball defending their 2015 gold.[gallery ids="https://guamnoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/20190708_123950.jpg|,https://guamnoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/20190708_123717.jpg|" type="rectangular"][wpvideo 9DbqZz5x]