Filomenaleonisa Iakopo (born February 10, 2006) is a Chamorro-American Samoan sprinter. She qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics and was named American Samoa's flagbearer.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 10, 2006 Northern Mariana Islands |
| Education | Kagman High School |
| Sport | |
| Country |  American Samoa |
| Sport | Athletics |
| Event(s) | 100 metres, 200 metres |
Biography
editIakopo was born on February 10, 2006, in the Northern Mariana Islands.[1][2] She is of Chamorro and American Samoan descent: her father, an Air Force veteran, is from American Samoa, while her mother is from Saipan.[2] She began competing in athletics in seventh grade.[3] After being coached by her father for a time, her father hired Olympian Peter Pulu to help train her.[2] She also has competed in bodybuilding events, participating in the 2021 Dee Clayton Classic championship along with her father.[4]
Iakopo attended Kagman High School in Saipan; she graduated in 2024 in the top 10 of her class.[2] While in high school, she began competing in international competitions representing American Samoa, setting several national records, including in the 100 metres and 200 metres.[2][5] She made her international debut at the 2022 Oceania Athletics Championships and competed in the 100m and 200m events; her father, then-aged 49, also competed in those events.[3] She later competed at the 2022 Pacific Mini Games, the 2023 Oceania Cup, the 2023 Pacific Games, the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships and the 2024 Oceania Athletics Championships.[2] At the 2024 World Championships, she competed in the 60 metres and set the national record.[1]
After Iakopo graduated from Kagman High School, she decided to attend Baylor University, majoring in neuroscience, in 2024.[2] In July 2024, she was selected to compete at the 2024 Summer Olympics in the 100 metres.[2][6] She was named the American Samoan flagbearer at the competition.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b "Filomenaleonisa Iakopo". World Athletics.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Rabago, Mark (July 9, 2024). "Chamorro-Samoan sprinter Filomenaleonisa Iakopo to fly American Samoa flag at Paris Olympics". Radio New Zealand.
- ^ a b Sablan Jr., James (June 16, 2022). "Father and daughter compete in Oceania Athletics Championships". Marianas Variety.
- ^ Rabago, Mark (November 5, 2021). "Father and daughter to compete in bodybuilding". Saipan Tribune.
- ^ Fausia, Ausage (June 30, 2022). "American Samoa's mini-games sprinter offered training opportunities". Samoa News.
- ^ Manglona, Thomas (July 6, 2024). "CNMI athlete heading to the Olympics to represent American Samoa". KUAM-TV.