Shaka Sola (born 14 March 1977) is a Samoan shot putter and discus thrower who became a popular if surprising star at the 2005 World Championships in Athletics.
Career At the 2005 World Championships in Athletics, Sola arrived late, having missed his flight from Samoa, and did not reach the games until his specialist event (shot put) had completed. As compensation, he asked to be allowed to compete in the javelin, although he had never previously thrown a javelin.
Sola finished last in the event by a considerable distance, throwing the javelin 41.18 metres, over 17 metres less than the next worst competitor. He was roundly applauded and supported by the other javelin throwers, however, all of whom were aware of the reasons for his participation in that event.
Sola, though not a spectacular javelin thrower, is more than capable in his own sports. He won gold at the 2004 Oceania Athletics Championships in both discus (with a games record of 53.79m) and shot put (17.86m), and represented Samoa in the discus at the 2004 Olympic Games.
In 2005, Sola competed in the South Pacific Mini Games for the first time, winning two medals - one gold and one silver. He first competed in the shot put, throwing 17.74 metres and winning his medal of the games. Sola then competed in the discus and came second place with a throw of 49.33.
Personal bests Event Result Venue Date Shot put 18.12 m Wellington 8 Mar 2003 Discus throw 58.82 m Wellington 12 Feb 2005 Hammer throw 44.34 m Suva 9 Jul 2003 Javelin throw 41.18 m Helsinki 9 Aug 2005
Achievements Representing 1996Oceania Junior ChampionshipsTownsville, Australia4thShot put14.20m3rdDiscus48.04 m2003South Pacific GamesSuva, Fiji2ndShot put15.97 m1stDiscus50.46 m4thHammer44.34m2004Oceania ChampionshipsTownsville, Australia1stShot put17.86 m CR1stDiscus53.79 m CR3rdHammer45.94 mOlympic GamesAthens, Greece36th (q)Discus51.10m2005South Pacific Mini GamesKoror, Palau1stShot put17.74 m2ndDiscus49.33 m4thHammer40.82mWorld ChampionshipsHelsinki, Finland31st (q)Javelin41.18m2006Commonwealth GamesMelbourne, Australia10thShot put16.47m12thDiscus47.74m2007Pacific GamesApia, Samoa1stShot put16.77 m2ndDiscus48.73 m2009Polynesian ChampionshipsGold Coast, Queensland, Australia1stShot put16.19m2ndDiscus45.14mPacific Mini GamesRarotonga, Cook Islands2ndShot put16.16 m6thDiscus42.70m2011Oceania Championships (Regional Division East)Apia, Samoa2ndShot put15.29 m1stDiscus43.10 m2ndHammer36.04 mPacific GamesNouméa, New Caledonia3rdShot put16.17 m6thDiscus43.01m2014Oceania ChampionshipsRarotonga, Cook Islands4thShot put14.90m4thDiscus40.01m3rdHammer34.23mOceania Masters Championships (35y-39y)Rarotonga, Cook Islands1stShot put15.04m1stDiscus40.07m
References
External links
Sports reference biography