Senior, intermediate and junior champs all from Orlando, Florida
La‘ie, HI – May 20, 2006 Defending World Fireknife Champion Mikaele Oloa, 16, completed the Orlando sweep when he took the title of worldıs best for the second year in a row at the Polynesian Cultural Centerıs 14th Annual World Fireknife Dance Competition. His friends and practice partners, Via Tiumalu, Jr., 14, and Rex Tiumalu, 11, won their respective age categories last night in the Junior Pacific Fireknife Championships.
The masterıs competition was tough with newcomer Joseph Cadousteau of Tahiti taking second place and three-time world champion David Galeai of Laie placing third.
"Itıs an awesome feeling to win and represent Orlando with my friends," said Oloa. "Weıve been practicing every day getting ready for the competition and I'm really glad it turned out so great for all of us."
The scores for the win came from a combined tally from the 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Horizons evening shows. In the first show, the competitors really put each other to the test with high-energy routines. The second show narrowed the margin even more with all three competitors fighting for each point.
Each winner in the World Fireknife Championships received a check and other gifts including a specially made trophy fireknife. First place received $4,000, second place earned $2,000 and third place collected $1,000.
Now that Oloa has won two consecutive years in a row, he will have to sit out next year due to competition rules opening the door for a new champion next year.
Sponsored by Coca-Cola, Electric Pencil, Hawaiian Airlines, Henry S. Mataalii & Company, Turtle Bay Resort and the PCC, the annual competition drew nearly 8,000 spectators over the course of three days from around the world.
Visit the PCC website at www.polynesia.com for all of the results of the 14th Annual World Fireknife Dance Competition and to purchase DVD highlights of the weekendıs festivities.
Since its beginning in 1963, the Polynesian Cultural Center has entertained more than 33 million visitors by preserving the spirit, culture and people of Polynesia. This week, all guests were invited to attend the Fireknife Competition and learn about the people and culture of Samoa through various other activities including the annual Samoan Arts Festival held on Saturday morning in the PCCıs Pacific Theater.
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