Tahiti were widely expected to monopolise the medals in the sport, which continues to grow in popularity in the Oceania region, but the home nation managed to secure a famous victory thanks to a time of 2 min 26.61sec.

The Tahitian team were 0.09 seconds behind Papua New Guinea, while Fiji came through to take bronze in 2:42.51.

The surprise result ended a longstanding period of dominance from Tahiti and gave the host nation an unexpected and historic gold.

“For us to do it in front of our families and home country, we are so honoured and privileged to be representing our country,” captain Xenia Peni said.

“We were really disappointed with the disqualification in the 1,500m this morning and to come out and win the gold in V12 against the Tahitians who are the world champions, it’s such a great feeling.”

Papua New Guinea’s shock triumph proved to be a mere fleeting moment of disappointment for Tahiti, who claimed the other three va'a gold medals available.

The men were able to put the defeat of the women behind them as they powered to a commanding success in the V12 500m, crossing the line in a time of 1:59.94.

New Caledonia clung on to second, finishing 2.07 seconds off the pace, while Wallis and Futuna earned bronze.

Tahiti swept the individual titles thanks to Tuatini Makiroto-Pintuia, who powered to a confident win in the men’s 500m V1, proving too strong for Tituoan Puyo of New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna’s Jacky Tuakoifenua in 2:35.47.

Brenda Vaimiti Maoni’s time of 3:05.48 was enough to give her the women’s 500m V1 title ahead of New Caledonia’s Lovaina Tetuira and Serena Hunter of the Cook Islands.

Elsewhere on another packed day of sporting action, Papua New Guinea secured double gold in the touch football event as both their men and women earned final victories over Samoa.

The women topped the podium by virtue of a 6-2 scoreline, while the men were made to work much harder for their triumph, eventually seeing out a narrow 8-7 win.

Cook Islands won double bronze as the women thumped Kiribati 11-2, before their men's team ousted New Caledonia 14-8.

Papua New Guinea claimed a one-two in the women's 25m air pistol shooting event as Tania Mairi-Mahuru edged compatriot Camelita Donald to gold.

Tahiti's Maeva Darius, who won 10m air pistol gold earlier in the week, had to settle for bronze.


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