By Elena Pasilio in Tokelau
Mosemalie 'Mose' Kaio earned a bronze medal in the under-20, 74kg freestyle wrestling category. Photo: Supplied
Feature - When Tokelau Language Week began a fortnight ago, so too did a story of pride and perseverance.
From the small, remote shores of Fakaofo in Tokelau to the mats of the Australia Super Series in Sydney, 18-year-old Mosemalie 'Mose' Kaio earned a bronze medal in the under-20, 74kg freestyle wrestling category.
Speaking from Apia via video call, Kaio and his coach, Tenali Iosefa, reflected on a wrestling journey that began just three months ago. It was when Iosefa and Ilai Elekana Isopo Manū were looking for a young and athletic Tokelauan who could participate in the event.
In June, when Iosefa's public health job took him from Nukunonu to Fakaofo, Iosefo met Kaio.
"He was a rugby player, but [when] I saw him, I thought, 'I could switch this guy to become a wrestler'," he recalled.
In the months leading up to the Australia Super Series, Kaio trained on the rugby field of Nukufou, where he ran laps and sparred with Iosefa.
He taught Kaio a combination of the Tokelau traditional wrestling, Fagatua - similar to freestyle wrestling - and skills he gained from judo and mixed martial arts.
Mosemalie Kaio earned a bronze medal in the under-20, 74kg freestyle wrestling category. Photo: Supplied
Tokelau's wrestling roots
But before Kaio came into the picture, there were just Iosefo and Manū - two friends whose bond grew over the years through their shared love of judo and wrestling. They attended the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa, where 72 participants represented Tokelau in various sports, including Manū in judo.
"Tenali (Iosefo) and I both went to the 2019 Pacific Games as part of team judo," Manū recalled, adding that even though Iosefo could not compete, he played a valuable role as his coach during the event.
Ilai Elekana Isopo Manū and Tenali Iosefa at the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa. Photo: Supplied
Manū said Iosefo's presence brought more than coaching, he carried the culture and spirit of Tokelau with him.
For Manū, who grew up in diaspora, it felt like two worlds coming together - Tokelau from the islands and Tokelau from abroad - united in the sport to represent one people. And for him, that unity meant everything.
For more than a decade, Manū himself has carried Tokelau's colours with quiet pride, even while living more than 2000 miles away.
For more than a decade, Manū himself has carried Tokelau's colours with quiet pride. Photo: Supplied
Born to a Tokelauan mother and Samoan father, his Pacific roots shaped a journey built on identity, perseverance, and the determination to see his small island nation stand tall on the international mat.
In 2025, Iosefa travelled to Fakaofo for work, but destiny had other plans. What began as a professional posting soon became the start of Kaio's wrestling journey.
Tenali praises Manū's efforts, calling him the "backbone" of Kaio's path to the Australia Super Series Wrestling training and competition.
"It was Manū who applied for an opportunity for Tokelau to the Australia Super Series," Tenali said.
"I was more of the practical [side], looking after Mose, his training and diet."
On 6 October, Iosefa and Kaio departed Tokelau aboard the MV Kalopaga, taking the two-day sea journey to Samoa to catch their 19 October flight to Sydney.
Iosefa and Kaio departed Tokelau aboard the MV Kalopaga, taking the two-day sea journey to Samoa to catch their 19 October flight to Sydney. Photo: Supplied
A step by step journey to the international mat
Once in Australia, Kaio said the training was on another level compared to what he had experienced on home soil.
Iosefa likened the experience to that of a small fish thrown into a sea of sharks - a young athlete suddenly face to face with the sport of his dreams and the tough reality of international competition.
But he said it was also the beginning of something greater - a step by step journey built on patience, determination, and pride in representing Tokelau.
For all the pride and heart in Kaio's journey, the road behind the scenes was far from easy.
When the team sought Olympic Solidarity funding to support Kaio and Iosefa's travel and accommodation, they discovered that the absence of a Tokelau National Olympic Committee (NOC) meant they did not qualify - a reminder of the unseen struggles small nations face in chasing big dreams.
"I tried to apply through New Zealand, and New Zealand NOC came back and said their funding has been exhausted for the year, so they couldn't give us any help either," Manū said.
"So, the last resort was assistance through the Oceania Wrestling Committee, and they said that they could help with the airfares."
The Tokelau government initially paid for the tickets, which had to be later reimbursed by the Oceania Wrestling Council.
Still, there were expenses to cover - food and accommodation. Families in Australia stepped in, offering Iosefa and Kaio a place to stay. Unlike other teams who were funded to stay together during camp, Iosefa commuted daily between his family's home and the training venue until his cousin kindly paid for his stay at the sports camp accommodation.
The experience reminded Manū and Iosefa of the 2019 Pacific Games, where they had to fundraise to represent Tokelau.
"The first training he attended, he had no shoes," Manū said, adding, "everyone that came there had wrestling shoes, and we were only able to get Mose some shoes a bit later."
Yet through all the challenges, the uncertainty and the financial strain, Kaio carried himself with quiet courage.
"I'd say for the tupulaga (youth), especially those in Tokelau, take Mose's journey as an example of somebody who had the courage to take on a challenge," Manū said, adding that the youngster's humility and quiet confidence is something that stood out.
"He's not boastful, he takes advice, and the coaching tips that Tenali was giving him while he was there, you see a big difference from as he went from match to match, you know, that his confidence started to grow and start to believe in him more."
Coach Iosefa and Mosemalie Kaio after award ceremony Australia Super Series 2025. Photo: Supplied
The road ahead for Tokelau wrestling
Looking back on his journey, Kaio said that the whole experience so far has been "astonishing", and thanked Iosefa and Manū for taking him under their wings.
He said he looks forward to continuing training with Iosefa in Tokelau and is also excited for next years Oceania Athletics Champs in March 2026 in Samoa.
Looking ahead, Manū said that he and Iosefa will set up some fundraising for the 2026 event and to involve some more young Tokelauan participants for the sports, urging both boys and girls to take the chance.
Meanwhile, Iosefa faces a new challenge: finding ways to continue Kaio's training back in Tokelau.
Iosefa is based on Nukunonu, where his family lives, while Kaio lives 60km across the sea, in Fakaofo, a 4-5-hour boat ride on the MV Kalopaga.
The road ahead for Tokelau wrestling may still be long, but the foundation has been laid.
Through the mentorship of Iosefa and Manū, and the courage of young athletes like Kaio, a new generation now has a pathway to follow.
