Source: Samoa Lifestyle Magazine. At just 13 years old, Handel Tupu Fua ,the youngest member of Team Samoa, has made an impressive World Sprints debut, racing his way into the semifinals of the Junior 19 Men’s V1 500m at the 2026 IVF Va’a World Sprint Championships in Singapore.
The young paddler from Vaitele was one of four Samoan juniors competing in the V1 500m and the only one to progress through the repechage and into the semifinals.
Handel won his repechage race in a time of 2:31.23, securing his place in the semifinal, where he finished fifth with a time of 2:35.50.
The result is particularly impressive given that Handel, at only 13, is competing in the Junior 19 division against paddlers several years older than him. It is also his first time competing at an international event of this level and his first IVF World Sprint Championships.
Samoa Outrigger Canoe Association (SOCA) President Leata Mailo said Handel’s performance was an exciting indication of what could lie ahead for the young paddler.
“Handel did very well. He has a bright future ahead of him and we are excited to see him develop from here on out. We are very proud of Handel,” she said. “This is his first International Va’a Federation Championship competition and what a performance he put out to represent himself, his club, SOCA and Samoa.
Va’a Runs in the Family
Handel comes from a strong paddling family. Both his parents have represented Samoa at regional and international competitions and are also coaches with Nafanua Paddling Club.
His older brother, Afele Tupu Fua, is also representing Samoa in Singapore and was part of the Elite Men’s V6 500m crew that reached the world championship final and finished sixth overall.
Handel’s achievement also reflects SOCA’s investment in developing Samoa’s next generation of paddlers.
The Elite Junior 19 team representing Samoa in Singapore is a particularly young squad, with the association focused on giving its emerging athletes valuable international racing experience.
“For now, we continue to expose them to these experiences and offer them as much as we can, develop them locally and ensure that passion for the sport continues,” Leata said.
The junior performances are part of what has already been an encouraging championship campaign for Samoa, including the Elite Men’s historic sixth-place finish in the V6 500m final and strong individual performances from Samoa’s V1 paddlers.
For Leata, the results are particularly meaningful given the limited resources available to Samoa’s paddling community.
“Coming from a small country like Samoa, where we don’t have a lot of resources but we make do with what little we have in terms of funding. We are feeling on top of the world,” she said.
She acknowledged the families and Samoa’s nine SOCA-affiliated clubs, which came together to fundraise and support the teams on their journey to Singapore.
“Thank you so much for your heart and support for the team. Above all, the unity amongst the association has really enabled us to make it this far.”
At just 13, Handel still has years of junior competition ahead of him. But reaching a World Sprint semifinal on his first attempt (against paddlers as old as 18) has already made the youngest member of Team Samoa one to watch.
The competition now moves into the Club Championships, with Tautai Outrigger Club x Red Sea and the Seagles juniors representing Samoa in the remaining days of racing.
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