FIRST PHOTO: Samalia Berger-Mataafa, a Lahainaluna High School graduate competing for American Samoa, prepares to throw a punch during her victory over Italy's Giacoma Cordio on the way to taking the gold medal at 71 kilograms (156 pounds) in the FILA world amateur mixed martial arts championship, which took place Nov. 15-18 in Krakow, Poland. Berger-Mataafa, who lives and trains in Hawaii, won the match 8-7, and defeated Russia's Ekaterina Krasnova in the three-person, round-robin competition, claiming the first gold for a competitor from the Oceania region. Berger-Mataafa will also represent American Samoa at the FILA North American Invitational, scheduled for Feb. 15-17 in New York.
SECOND PHOTO: Berger-Mataafa poses with her gold medal.
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Samalia Berger-Mataafa, a Lahainaluna High School graduate competing for American Samoa, prepares to throw a punch during her victory over Italy’s Giacoma Cordio on the way to taking the gold medal at 71 kilograms (156 pounds) in the FILA world amateur mixed martial arts championship, which took place Nov. 15-18 in Krakow, Poland.
Piotr Pedziszewski photo
