# Shaka Sola

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

| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
| Representing Samoa ||||||
| 1996 | Oceania Junior Championships | Townsville, Australia | 4th | Shot put | 14.20m |
| 1996 | Oceania Junior Championships | Townsville, Australia | 3rd | Discus | 48.04 m |
| 2003 | South Pacific Games | Suva, Fiji | 2nd | Shot put | 15.97 m |
| 2003 | South Pacific Games | Suva, Fiji | 1st | Discus | 50.46 m |
| 2003 | South Pacific Games | Suva, Fiji | 4th | Hammer | 44.34m |
| 2004 | Oceania Championships | Townsville, Australia | 1st | Shot put | 17.86 m CR |
| 2004 | Oceania Championships | Townsville, Australia | 1st | Discus | 53.79 m CR |
| 2004 | Oceania Championships | Townsville, Australia | 3rd | Hammer | 45.94 m |
| 2004 | Olympic Games | Athens, Greece | 36th (q) | Discus | 51.10m |
| 2005 | South Pacific Mini Games | Koror, Palau | 1st | Shot put | 17.74 m |
| 2005 | South Pacific Mini Games | Koror, Palau | 2nd | Discus | 49.33 m |
| 2005 | South Pacific Mini Games | Koror, Palau | 4th | Hammer | 40.82m |
| 2005 | World Championships | Helsinki, Finland | 31st (q) | Javelin | 41.18m |
| 2006 | Commonwealth Games | Melbourne, Australia | 10th | Shot put | 16.47m |
| 2006 | Commonwealth Games | Melbourne, Australia | 12th | Discus | 47.74m |
| 2007 | Pacific Games | Apia, Samoa | 1st | Shot put | 16.77 m |
| 2007 | Pacific Games | Apia, Samoa | 2nd | Discus | 48.73 m |
| 2009 | Polynesian Championships | Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia | 1st | Shot put | 16.19m |
| 2009 | Polynesian Championships | Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia | 2nd | Discus | 45.14m |
| 2009 | Pacific Mini Games | Rarotonga, Cook Islands | 2nd | Shot put | 16.16 m |
| 2009 | Pacific Mini Games | Rarotonga, Cook Islands | 6th | Discus | 42.70m |
| 2011 | Oceania Championships (Regional Division East) | Apia, Samoa | 2nd | Shot put | 15.29 m |
| 2011 | Oceania Championships (Regional Division East) | Apia, Samoa | 1st | Discus | 43.10 m |
| 2011 | Oceania Championships (Regional Division East) | Apia, Samoa | 2nd | Hammer | 36.04 m |
| 2011 | Pacific Games | Nouméa, New Caledonia | 3rd | Shot put | 16.17 m |
| 2011 | Pacific Games | Nouméa, New Caledonia | 6th | Discus | 43.01m |
| 2014 | Oceania Championships | Rarotonga, Cook Islands | 4th | Shot put | 14.90m |
| 2014 | Oceania Championships | Rarotonga, Cook Islands | 4th | Discus | 40.01m |
| 2014 | Oceania Championships | Rarotonga, Cook Islands | 3rd | Hammer | 34.23m |
| 2014 | Oceania Masters Championships (35y-39y) | Rarotonga, Cook Islands | 1st | Shot put | 15.04m |
| 2014 | Oceania Masters Championships (35y-39y) | Rarotonga, Cook Islands | 1st | Discus | 40.07m |