Latest news with #MiniGames
Scoop
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Running The Show: The Youngsters Behind The Scenes At The Pacific Mini Games
Article – RNZ An unexpected group has been playing a key role in making the Mini Games a success. , RNZ Pacific digital journalist in Koror, Palau As the Pacific Mini Games heads towards to its closing ceremony, the spotlight remains firmly on the athletes, teams, and the sporting achievements making headlines across the region. But behind the scenes, an unexpected group has been playing a key role in making the Games a success – Palau's young people. RNZ Pacific caught up with a few of the youngsters to see how things have been going so far. The Games' 10-year-old photographer One standout is 10-year-old Yoshi, a local Palauan who has taken on one of the most important jobs at any event: photography. The ten-year-old's approach is simple; he loves capturing moments that 'make people happy'. 'So, my name is Yoshi. I'm from Palau. My work here is as a photographer,' he said. Yoshi has been working since the opening ceremony, covering events with his uncle's camera. 'I take the photos and my uncle edits them. When I'm older, I want to be a photographer, but first I need an editor that isn't my uncle.' What draws him to photography? 'Because I could, like…it makes people happy, and I like to make people happy, and it's cool.' He is using a fairly large, complicated camera, which he hadn't had much previous experience using. But he insisted it is not as hard as it might look. 'I don't think it's that hard to use…and, I've used it ever since the opening ceremony. What do I think of my photos? I think they're good; I think they're bad. I don't really know,' he shrugged. Will we see Yoshi at the Games one day? 'Yeah, yeah, yeah,' he said. 'My favourite sport is swimming. And I really want to try skiing… I haven't skied before… I don't have a favourite athlete, because all of them are my favourites.' Is taking photos a big responsibility for him? He thought about it for a moment. 'Yes.' But he's handling it all like a pro. 13-year-old police officer Thirteen-year old Tadashi has been under the pump for the entirety of the Games, stepping up to the plate as a police officer. Proudly repping his police vest, Tadashi said the venture is all about keeping athletes, spectators, and visitors safe and comfortable. 'My job is to protect the athletes and other people who are here to come and watch the games,' he said. 'To make them feel safe and comfortable and [so] no arguments happen here at the Games.' His daily routine involves patrolling the event grounds, guiding cars, driving carts, and keeping an eye on any shenanigans. 'It's pretty fun. It's a pretty cool experience… no crazy things have happened so far,' he laughed. He will be on duty right up until the closing ceremony, which is expected to be busy, and therefore strenuous. 'It can be fun; it can also be a bit stressful too,' he said. When asked if his future career is aligned with his current role, Tadashi is sure about becoming an officer. 'Yes, I do want to be a police officer,' he said. 'Because you want to protect people and keep them safe. My family is very proud of me for helping protect everybody here… I have made them proud.' The 19-year-old presenter Delaney Termeteet, 19-years old, has been a stand-out at the Pacific Mini Games. A Palauan local, she has captured attention across the region as host of The Daily Highlights, a local programme bringing daily coverage of the Games to viewers in Palau and across the region. 'This is the first time I've done anything or contributed to anything this large,' Termeteet said. Before the Games, she interned as a host on All Around the Island, a local show focused on youth and community events. However, hosting a regional broadcast watched by thousands has been a considerable leap in her career. 'It's quite intense, and at times it's a little scary, but knowing myself and what I'm capable of… it's been quite an experience,' she said. Termeteet's work is part of a broader effort led by Palauan youth and student media workers who have teamed up with experienced professionals to produce daily coverage. The team do not have access to a formal studio, and have instead opted to transform a training room at the local Palau Community College into a makeshift broadcast hub. The room is complete with cameras, monitors, and some tech equipment. 'This is the first time the media in Palau has done something this large,' Termeteet said. While it has all been quite the experience, with coverage of the Games remaining intense and fast-paced, Termeteet has chosen to soak in every moment. 'Stepping outside your comfort zone… is always the best experience possible,' she said. 'Every single role, whether small or big, contributes to the much larger picture. Without that small role, that picture wouldn't be a masterpiece,' she said. Young basket runners Nine-year-olds Teah, Ayami, and Rico, along with 10-year-old Mizuki, are among the youngest volunteers in Koror. And they've been hard at work behind the scenes at the swimming events. Over several days, the energetic team have been running up and down the swim aisles, helping make sure athletes' gear is sorted and ready to go. 'So we switch the baskets [in and out] once the swimmers' stuff is inside,' Rico said. 'We switch the empty ones with full baskets… it is an important job, it is fun – usually I like volunteering and helping people.' When asked about what their favourite part of the job was: 'It's good to have something important to do,' Mizuki said. 'And we like making baskets. I swim… my favourite team is the Cook Islands; they're really nice,' Ayami added. For Teah, it's the people who've made the biggest impression. 'I think my favourite thing here is meeting all the new people and helping the people who are in need,' Teah added. The young volunteers at the Pacific Mini Games have certainly shown that age is no barrier to making a meaningful impact – and they will continue to do so right up until the final day on July 9.
Scoop
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
NZ Team Flagbearer David Liti Lifts Through Grief To Win Double Gold At Pacific Mini Games
Aotearoa's champion Tongan-Kiwi weightlifter David Liti won two gold medals in the men's 110kg+ clean and jerk and the men's overall, and a silver in the snatch. , RNZ Pacific digital journalist in Koror, Palau Aotearoa's champion Tongan-Kiwi weightlifter David Liti has dominated at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games, bringing home two gold medals, in the 110kg+ clean and jerk and the men's overall, and a silver in the snatch on Saturday. Liti's performance was a boost for the New Zealand weightlifting team, who finished the Mini Games with a total of eight medals: two gold, three silver, and three bronze. The lead-up to the Mini Games, however, was anything but easy for Liti. The second youngest of eleven siblings, he has spent the past month grieving the loss of his mother Sisi Luisa to cancer. With limited time and focus for training ahead of the competition in Palau, Liti admitted he hadn't expected to perform at his best, or find success on the platform. 'I took a lot of time off…with my mum being sick and passing away in the last month,' he said. 'Mentally, it was a little bit tough, but I knew I had to come back for her. My mum would be angry at me if I didn't. 'It was a really awkward, weird, successful day,' Liti said. 'I did not come in expecting to take home gold, but with a little bit of last-minute plans and tactical plays outside in the back room, we managed to surpass all those hurdles and come out with the gold today.' In saying that, he came and did what he 'needed to do'. 'After these past few months,we did what we needed to do. We came into this slowly…I mean, there's always room for improvement. But today is done – whatever is done is done – and I'm happy,' Liti said. Looking ahead, Liti is focused on what's next, with the Commonwealth Championships in India just weeks away and bigger competitions, such as the 2026 Commonwealth Games, on the horizon. 'The build-up from now is to be at peak performance by India, which is another seven to eight weeks from here, and then just carry on to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow,' Liti said. Patolo, Soloai also add medals Within the space of a year, Tui-Alofa Patolo and Judy Soloai have taken the weightlifting scene by storm while holding down full-time jobs and only recently stepping into the sport. Alongside Liti, teammates Patolo, 34, and Soloai, 30, added to the team's medal tally with three bronze medals. Soloai claimed bronze in both the women's 86kg+ clean and jerk and the overall total, while Patolo secured bronze in the 86kg+ snatch. The success of both has been impressive, with both weighlifters having only joined the sport within the year. Soloai said that she had initially got into it as a mental outlet. 'My full-time job is as a forensic mental health clinician in Hawkes Bay prison,' she said. 'I think with the mental capacity it takes for me to be at my job, I needed something that was going to be an outlet…I wanted to be active, you know, just something that's more healthier for me.' In October 2024, she tested the waters with weightlifting, and discovered she was a natural talent. 'I didn't realise how naturally strong I was. I met some people… and they kind of encouraged me to pick it up as a sport.' Encouraged by those around her, the results came quickly. 'On my second competition, which was a week after my first, I did get a podium. I hit some numbers that I didn't realise were really good nationally.' That moment changed things for Soloai, and she had nothing to lose by pursuing the sport. 'I thought, you know what? If this is an advantage for me, why not? I've got nothing to lose… and it's just been really, really good. 'I've excelled really fast. This is a sport I think a lot our Pacific and Maori women would thrive in – so people should get in there. It takes consistency and effort to get where you want to be, but it's so worth it.' Alongside Soloai, Patolo has enjoyed similar success, although she almost didn't make it to the Mini Games. After qualifying earlier in the year, she was unsure about committing to the trip. 'I actually wasn't gonna come,' Patolo said. 'I just have a lot going on in my own life. But not everyone gets this opportunity, and what have I got to lose? I've got everything to gain.' It was Soloai's decision to go that ultimately encouraged her. 'If it wasn't for Judy coming as well, I would have never come,' Patolo laughed. 'We just really support each other.' Another source of support is her husband, who said that her husband helped put together make-shift weights at home so that she could train in the garden. Similarly to Soloai, Patolo only joined the sport earlier on in 2024, and leads a busy life as a full-time Court Reporter for the Ministry of Justice, so she aims to train intensively around three times a week. She is also soaking in the successes attributed to her newfound success. 'With what Judy said…the invitation [to join] is not just to young women, it's also to the older wāhine. Because I'm 34…I just think, just get amongst it. You might surprise yourself.'
Scoop
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
NZ Team Flagbearer David Liti Lifts Through Grief To Win Double Gold At Pacific Mini Games
Aotearoa's champion Tongan-Kiwi weightlifter David Liti has dominated at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games, bringing home two gold medals, in the 110kg+ clean and jerk and the men's overall, and a silver in the snatch on Saturday. Liti's performance was a boost for the New Zealand weightlifting team, who finished the Mini Games with a total of eight medals: two gold, three silver, and three bronze. The lead-up to the Mini Games, however, was anything but easy for Liti. The second youngest of eleven siblings, he has spent the past month grieving the loss of his mother Sisi Luisa to cancer. With limited time and focus for training ahead of the competition in Palau, Liti admitted he hadn't expected to perform at his best, or find success on the platform. "I took a lot of time off…with my mum being sick and passing away in the last month," he said. "Mentally, it was a little bit tough, but I knew I had to come back for her. My mum would be angry at me if I didn't. "It was a really awkward, weird, successful day," Liti said. "I did not come in expecting to take home gold, but with a little bit of last-minute plans and tactical plays outside in the back room, we managed to surpass all those hurdles and come out with the gold today." In saying that, he came and did what he "needed to do". "After these past few months,we did what we needed to do. We came into this slowly…I mean, there's always room for improvement. But today is done - whatever is done is done - and I'm happy," Liti said. Looking ahead, Liti is focused on what's next, with the Commonwealth Championships in India just weeks away and bigger competitions, such as the 2026 Commonwealth Games, on the horizon. "The build-up from now is to be at peak performance by India, which is another seven to eight weeks from here, and then just carry on to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow," Liti said. Patolo, Soloai also add medals Within the space of a year, Tui-Alofa Patolo and Judy Soloai have taken the weightlifting scene by storm while holding down full-time jobs and only recently stepping into the sport. Alongside Liti, teammates Patolo, 34, and Soloai, 30, added to the team's medal tally with three bronze medals. Soloai claimed bronze in both the women's 86kg+ clean and jerk and the overall total, while Patolo secured bronze in the 86kg+ snatch. The success of both has been impressive, with both weighlifters having only joined the sport within the year. Soloai said that she had initially got into it as a mental outlet. "My full-time job is as a forensic mental health clinician in Hawkes Bay prison," she said. "I think with the mental capacity it takes for me to be at my job, I needed something that was going to be an outlet…I wanted to be active, you know, just something that's more healthier for me." In October 2024, she tested the waters with weightlifting, and discovered she was a natural talent. "I didn't realise how naturally strong I was. I met some people... and they kind of encouraged me to pick it up as a sport." Encouraged by those around her, the results came quickly. "On my second competition, which was a week after my first, I did get a podium. I hit some numbers that I didn't realise were really good nationally." That moment changed things for Soloai, and she had nothing to lose by pursuing the sport. "I thought, you know what? If this is an advantage for me, why not? I've got nothing to lose... and it's just been really, really good. "I've excelled really fast. This is a sport I think a lot our Pacific and Maori women would thrive in - so people should get in there. It takes consistency and effort to get where you want to be, but it's so worth it." Alongside Soloai, Patolo has enjoyed similar success, although she almost didn't make it to the Mini Games. After qualifying earlier in the year, she was unsure about committing to the trip. "I actually wasn't gonna come," Patolo said. "I just have a lot going on in my own life. But not everyone gets this opportunity, and what have I got to lose? I've got everything to gain." It was Soloai's decision to go that ultimately encouraged her. "If it wasn't for Judy coming as well, I would have never come," Patolo laughed. "We just really support each other." Another source of support is her husband, who said that her husband helped put together make-shift weights at home so that she could train in the garden. Similarly to Soloai, Patolo only joined the sport earlier on in 2024, and leads a busy life as a full-time Court Reporter for the Ministry of Justice, so she aims to train intensively around three times a week. She is also soaking in the successes attributed to her newfound success. "With what Judy said…the invitation [to join] is not just to young women, it's also to the older wāhine. Because I'm 34...I just think, just get amongst it. You might surprise yourself."
Scoop
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
'We're Still In Disbelief': Tongan Archers Return Home After Record-Breaking Run In Palau
Coco Lance, RNZ Pacific digital journalist in Koror, Palau Tonga's archery team headed home on Saturday, still stunned by their record-breaking run in Palau at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games. After winning 11 medals across recurve and compound events, team member Hans Arne Jensen, who claimed gold in both the Men's Individual Matchplay and Double 720 Ranking round, said the entire squad is still in "disbelief" over what they achieved. "We're still in disbelief," Jensen, who is a long-time leader in the sport, told RNZ Pacific in Koror. "It's hard to believe we're already leaving…it's kind of, you know…we're still pinching ourselves. "We've had a couple golds at Oceania tournaments and a few silvers and bronzes at Pacific Games, but we've never had a gold, and we've definitely never made it into the double digits of medaling." He also took silver in the Mixed Recurve Matchplay alongside teammate Halamehi Tangulu. In the compound division, Luisa Pongi earned two silvers, Anna Fifita took two bronzes, and Victory Pekipaki claimed two silvers. Esela Mounga added two more bronze medals. While the journey has been one of great success, preparation wasn't smooth sailing. There was a lot of uncertainty around travel, and the limited training camps leading up to the Mini Games had tested the team. "Just before we got here, we were a little bit unsure exactly how we were going to go, and how many of us were going to get here," Jensen said. "But in the end, everything happens for a reason. These events are always a little crazy. "But, trials and tribulations are what builds an athlete up. You need that kind of story, that lead-up, that's what gives it meaning." Jensen said it will be bittersweet leaving while the Mini Games is still underway, especially after enjoying the energy and spirit of the event. "For many sports at the Pacific Games, you find people who are exactly like you, and they end up looking after you, and you end up becoming the guy that looks after them. It's all very 'family'," Jensen said. He said the first night in the athlete's dining hall was a stand-out, filled with singing, dancing, and laughter. "We all have our own roots, but it's one big family," he said. "And I think that's the beautiful thing about the Pacific. We are one people in that sense, and connected. Yeah, there's a lot of water between us, but there's not much difference."
Associated Press
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Amanotes Expands Reach to Global Music Game Lovers Through Alternative App Stores
Amanotes Brings Top Music Games to Amazon Appstore, YouTube Playables, and Huawei App Gallery, WeChat Mini Games 'This is key step toward our mission of Everyone Can Music to life—by making music games accessible everywhere, for everyone, no matter the platform.'— Thu Tran, Chief of Staff at Amanotes SINGAPORE, April 22, 2025 / / -- In line with its mission of Everyone Can Music, Amanotes – the world's #1 music game company – announces the expanded distribution of its hit titles across a variety of alternative app stores. In addition to the App Store and Google Play, Amanotes games are now available on Amazon Appstore, Huawei App Gallery, WeChat Mini Games, and YouTube Playables allowing millions of users around the world to experience interactive music gaming wherever they choose to play. Amanotes' most iconic titles, including Magic Tiles 3, Tiles Hop, Duet Friends, and more, are rolling out across these platforms, ensuring maximum accessibility for growing and diverse global music lovers. The results are already promising. Over six months of rolling out, Magic Tiles 3 has been listed as Best Seller on Amazon Appstore, highlighting the demand for music gaming outside mainstream channels. Having achieved over 1 million downloads so far, the platform offers promising opportunities for Amanotes' expansion. On YouTube Playables, Amanotes is among the earliest adopters testing new formats. With strong user engagement and a new multiplayer mode currently in development, this partnership expansion helps to enhance social music experiences on the world's largest video platform. The expansion reflects Amanotes' ongoing commitment to innovation in both game design and distribution. Each platform offers unique touchpoints to reach music game lovers where they are – whether through mobile app stores, social ecosystems, or embedded game experiences on video and media platforms. About Amanotes Amanotes is a leading music-tech company, best known for creating the world's most downloaded music games. With over 3.5 billion downloads and a portfolio of chart-topping titles, Amanotes combines interactive gameplay with music content to create unique, emotionally resonant user experiences. The company's mission – Everyone Can Music – drives its innovation across gaming, music licensing, and platform distribution. For more information, visit Jasmine Amanotes email us here Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
