In 2025, Pacific Islander American athletes have made significant strides across various sports, showcasing their talents and cultural heritage.
American Samoa Wrestling Team’s Historic Performance
The American Samoa National Wrestling Team delivered a record-breaking performance at the 2025 Oceania Wrestling Championships, held in Pago Pago. The team secured 47 medals—16 gold, 19 silver, and 12 bronze—ishing as the top-ranked team in the Oceania region. Notable athletes included Nolan Puletasi, who achieved gold in freestyle, Greco-Roman, and beach wrestling in the senior men’s 86–90 kg divisions, and Carter Tuatagaloa Alii Atagi, who earned four gold medals across U17 and U20 categories. (samoanews.com)
Alissa Pili’s Impact in the WNBA
Alissa Pili, of Samoan and Indigenous heritage, has made a significant impact in the WNBA with the Minnesota Lynx. Selected eighth overall in the 2024 WNBA draft, Pili has become a role model for Indigenous and Polynesian communities. Her debut season included a standout performance on May 31, 2024, where she scored over 20 points while shooting perfectly from deep with four or more three-pointers, a rare achievement for a rookie. (en.wikipedia.org)
Gabriela Bryan’s Surfing Achievements
Hawaiian surfer Gabriela Bryan has continued to excel on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour. After being named Rookie of the Year in 2022, she secured her first event win in Margaret River, Australia, in 2024. Bryan’s performances have solidified her status as a leading figure in professional surfing. (en.wikipedia.org)
Laki Tasi’s NFL Journey
Samoan-Australian athlete Laki Tasi transitioned from rugby to American football, joining the Las Vegas Raiders as a defensive lineman through the NFL’s International Player Pathway program. Born in Samoa and raised in Brisbane, Australia, Tasi’s journey highlights the growing presence of Pacific Islander athletes in American football. (en.wikipedia.org)
Filomenaleonisa Iakopo’s Olympic Milestone
Sprinter Filomenaleonisa Iakopo made history as the first athlete from the Northern Mariana Islands to participate in the Summer Olympics. Representing American Samoa, she competed in the 100 meters at the 2024 Paris Olympics, setting a national record of 12.78 seconds in the preliminary round. (en.wikipedia.org)
Celebrating AANHPI Representation in College Sports
The NCAA reported a 4% year-over-year increase in Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) student-athletes, totaling 13,739 across all divisions in the 2023-24 academic year. This growth reflects the expanding influence and participation of Pacific Islander athletes in collegiate sports. (ncaa.org)
These achievements underscore the remarkable contributions of Pacific Islander American athletes in 2025, highlighting their dedication, cultural pride, and impact across the sports landscape.
## Recent Highlights of Pacific Islander Athletes in Sports:
– All Black Savea to skip Super Rugby in favour of Japan sabbatical in 2026, Published on Tuesday, June 17
– Olympic discus champion Stona bidding to win NFL deal, Published on Tuesday, December 10