Vanuatu taekwondo athlete Clement Onggosanusi has won a bronze medal at the Pan American Club Championships in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States, held from 22 to 25 October 2026.

Onggosanusi secured bronze in the Men’s Senior Under-54-kilogram division, competing among international athletes at the championships, which organisers said attracted more than 1,200 athletes.

The result adds to Vanuatu’s achievements in international sport and highlights the efforts of local athletes competing overseas.

VASANOC Congratulates Taekwondo Federation

Vanuatu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (VASANOC) Secretary-General Cyrille Mainguy congratulated the Taekwondo Federation and Onggosanusi on the achievement.

“Congratulations to the Taekwondo Federation for this achievement and for being able to send an athlete to Florida, America. Congratulations to Clement. When you stand on the podium internationally, it means we are flying the flag of Vanuatu.”

Onggosanusi’s medal highlights the discipline, commitment and preparation required to compete at an international level.

Call for Greater Support Across All Sports

Following the result, VASANOC Secretary-General Cyrille Mainguy appealed to Youth and Sports Minister Job Andy to recognise and support athletes from different sports who travel overseas to represent Vanuatu.

Mainguy acknowledged that football remains the country’s leading sport but stressed that athletes in other disciplines also need opportunities and support to compete internationally.

“Honourable Minister Job Andy, if you can recognise the cries of the federations, every month athletes are travelling. We understand that football is our number one sport, but we have other sports too,” Mainguy said.

“Please, let us recognise the athletes who fly our flag because they go out to defend our nation and represent our flag. It is important for the Government to recognise every athlete who travels around the world, and we must support them,” he added.

Minister Andy has acknowledged the concerns raised, and the Government is expected to make a statement soon regarding the issues.

International competition can involve significant costs for athletes and sporting federations, including training and travel expenses. Mainguy called for greater recognition of athletes who represent Vanuatu beyond football.

Onggosanusi’s bronze medal is another milestone for Vanuatu taekwondo and an opportunity to highlight the importance of supporting athletes across different sporting disciplines.