2026 World Fireknife – Women’s and Men's Finals

Excitement filled the air as performers from across the globe gathered in Lāʻie, Hawai‘i, bringing with them not only extraordinary talent, but also a profound connection to heritage, history, and identity. Together, they participated in the “We Are Samoa” World Fireknife Championship, an event that celebrates both cultural legacy and elite performance.

The fireknife dance, or siva afi, is a striking display of strength, agility, and precision, with roots tracing back to Samoa between 900 and 1200 AD. In ancient times, the Tēine Toa (brave women) and Toa (warriors) wielded the nifo oti—a serrated war club sometimes edged with shark teeth—to demonstrate their skill and honor their villages. These early demonstrations of courage and mastery laid the foundation for the dynamic and mesmerizing performances seen today.

Throughout this years competition, several fascinating elements highlighted both the tradition and the evolving nature of the art:

• Winners of this prestigious event are widely recognized as among the best fireknife performers in the world—a distinction that reflects exceptional dedication and skill.
• Participants ranged in age from just 8 to 50 years old, showcasing the enduring appeal and generational strength of the tradition.
• Despite the competitive atmosphere, a strong sense of brotherhood prevailed. Many groups formed lasting bonds, with some even “adopting” warriors from other nations, offering support and encouragement beyond cultural and geographic boundaries.
• Each performer had 4–6 minutes to demonstrate their expertise, requiring both technical excellence and compelling stage presence.
• Competitors were required to use a double-ended fireknife, including one blade with a hook, adding complexity and challenge to each performance.
• Judges brought significant credibility to the event, each possessing prior and distinguished performance experience in the art form.
• Performances were evaluated on execution, precision, and accuracy, with the highest and lowest scores removed to determine a fair final result.
• The rhythm of the competition was brought to life by skilled drummers, some of whom are originally from across the Pacific Rim.
• Among the drums featured was a beautifully crafted wooden drum gifted from Taiwan, symbolizing the cultural connections woven throughout the event.

A particularly inspiring highlight of this year’s championship was the presence of an extraordinary group of women warriors. These performers embodied both strength and grace—beautiful, fierce, and powerfully feminine. Each took the stage with confidence and cultural pride, delivering performances that were captivating and deeply meaningful. Their artistry reflected not only technical excellence, but also a profound respect for heritage and tradition, leaving a lasting impression on all who watched. 

This year’s women warrior winners, all hailing from New Zealand, demonstrated an exceptional level of skill and dedication. Their achievements stand as a testament to the global reach and continued evolution of the fireknife tradition.

🥇 1st Place: Emi Iloganoa Pritchard – Auckland, New Zealand 
🥈 2nd Place: Portia Meredith Numia – Auckland, New Zealand 
🥉 3rd Place: Marley Adam – Wellington, New Zealand 

During the Tao (warrior) performance, “the drummers brought the beat while the warriors brought the heat!” as sparks flew (some into the audience)! The top six winners will be able to compete in next year’s preliminaries, along with winners from other competitions around the world. 

Our top 6 Qualifying Competitors for the Men’s Division who automatically qualify for next year's event:

• Matagi Lilo – Ewa Beach, US
• Falaniko Solomona Penesa – Samoa
• Kenshi Jorden – Ishigaki, Japan
• Hikitahi Piokoe – Arue, Tahiti
• Te Maioha Makekau – Lāʻie, US & New Zealand
• Mose Lilo – Ewa Beach, US

From these six entries, the following three emerged as our winners:

🥇 1st Place: Falaniko Solomona Penesa - Samoa - 4x Champion 
🥈 2nd Place: Hikitahi Piokoe - Arue, Tahiti 
🥉 3rd Place: Kenshi Jorden - Ishigaki, Japan

Together, this unforgettable week in Lāʻie was more than a competition—it was a celebration of culture, connection, and the enduring spirit of the warrior.

Fa’afetai tele lava!