Pacific Athletic Records Fall as Alissa Pili and Robert Whittaker Make Strategic Career Moves

Pacific excellence has been on full display as athletes from across the region shattered long-standing national records and secured significant professional milestones. Reporting from ABC Pacific on 8 July 2026, the Oceania Half Marathon Championships held on the Gold Coast on Saturday morning served as a primary stage for these historic achievements. In a dominant display of endurance, Solomon Islands runner Geejay Junior broke a national marathon record that had stood since 2003, clocking in at 1:11.31. Junior expressed his excitement to ABC Pacific, noting he had discussed the goal with his coach only a day prior. Fellow countryman Leony Pusua also surpassed the previous national benchmark. Meanwhile, Nathania Tan of the Northern Mariana Islands shaved over eight minutes off her own national record, finishing in 1:20.13, and Nauru’s Isaac Oppenheimer set an official national record of 1:19.20. In professional basketball, the Los Angeles Sparks announced the signing of Samoan/Inupiaq player Alissa Pili to a player development contract. Sparks General Manager Raegan Pebley praised Pili’s unique combination of skill and physicality. Pili previously featured for the Geelong Venom in the WNBL, though her season was hampered by an early injury. In the NBL1 East competition, Samoan/Australian guard Jade Kirisome delivered a standout performance for the Hills Hornets, scoring 38 points and eight triples in a decisive victory over Maitland. The combat sports world is also bracing for significant shifts as Samoan/Māori fighter Robert Whittaker prepares for his Light Heavyweight debut at UFC 329. Whittaker, a former Middleweight contender, will face Nikita Krylov on the preliminary card. He is joined on the card by Hawaiian/Samoan star Max Holloway, who returns to the octagon for a highly anticipated rematch against Conor McGregor at Welterweight, and Kanaka Maoli featherweight Kai Kamaka III, who faces Luke Riley.