Sports

SAMOA's SWIMMING HERO BRANDON SCHUSTER NAMED 'BEST MALE ATHLETE OF THE PACIFIC GAMES 2019'

Following on from the 2 Golds, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze medals that Samoa's Brandon Schuster won at the Pacific Games, he was also crowned the Games 'Best Male Athlete' at the Closing Ceremony.

President Lakhan presented the award to Brandons father Toesusulu Cedric Schuster as Brandon had already departed to South Korea for the World Aquatics Champsionships for "two gold medals in Swimming and setting a new standard for the sport of Swimming in his country Samoa".

Upon receiving the award for Brandon, Toesusulu said his only disappointment was that his son could not be here to accept his award for all the effort he had put in, in winning the medals.

Toesulusulu Cedric Schuster accepting the Best Male Athlete award on behalf of his son Brandon Schuster (Photo: Asuisui Matafeo from Samoa Observer))

“I’ve always felt Samoan but being on top of this podium in front of the home crowd with the whole crowd cheering - I’ve never felt so proudly Samoan. Walking out and hearing hear your name being called next to ‘Samoa’ everyone erupting with cheers is so amazing not just for me but for all our swimmers. I’m so suprised and excited to see how many people showed up for the swimming that was unexpected as it’s not a popular sport so we are so humbled” - Branson Schuster 2 x Gold medal winner in swimming.

Hometown hero & Best Male athlete of the Pacific Games 2019 - Brandon Schuster - with fellow Gold Medallist Lushavel Stickland

A total of 5 Golds, 6 Silvers & 6 Bronzes were snatched for Samoa by Samoan swimmers Brandon Schuster and champion women’s swimmers Lauren Sale and Lushavel Strickland, the women's Swimming relay team which included Lauren, Brandon's sister Andrea, Kaiya Brown and Jelani Wetzell in a sport the host country of #PG19 isn’t known for excelling in.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to show the rest of Pacific that it’s not just select sports we’re good at - there are other maybe surprising ones we can excel at” said Brandon after his second Gold win tonight for the 400 metre medley.

Brandon competing in the 400m medley - one of the races he won Gold at the 2019 Pacific Games

The home crowd erupted as the duo won their finals respectively against countries who are much better resourced in training and facilities than Samoa.

Samoa swimming captain Brandon Schuster had made history for the country in winning the men's 200 metres backstroke on the first night of finals (which was also Samoa's first Gold of the Games) and then the 400 medley a couple of nights later.

Brandon with his sister Andrea, Kaiya Brown, Lauren Sale & Lushavel Stickland

Brandon’s sister Andrea Schuster also swam in the Silver medal winning Samoan team who came 2nd in the Women’s 200 metre freestyle relay, the first time Samoa has ever placed in a relay event.

When asked what was special about this Pacific Games he said "It's Home ... it's not just you on the blocks, you've got a whole country behind you pushing you forward and it's really important thing for most Samoans to see that every little thing is celebrated whether we get a medal or just a Personal Best. We're all together and we're not trying to bring each other down but lift each other up. One in Spirit - thats definitely the feeling that I've got from these games"

He started out as a young 17 year old professional swimming competitor as a solo swimmer for Samoa but now leads the proud Samoan swimming team of 14. He is currently studying at the California Baptist University under a swimming scholarship that he received in 2017 after he left the National University of Samoa.