by Lorraine Genia – EM TV Sport, Port Moresby
Misa Avefa’s story is one that is often overlooked when talking about sporting successin the country.
From your average Papua New Guinean girl growing up in the slums of Eastern Highlands Province to becoming the most recognisable icon in the art of bodybuilding throughout the South Pacific.
Becoming a bodybuilder, let alone the Pacific’s best wasn’t something the Avefa family ever thought about, says Misa Avefa’s father, Soke Avefa.
“Misa grew up in the village, cleaning around, washing dishes,” says Soke.
She had the typical village experience and becoming a professional athlete was going from one extreme to the other. Misa represented Eastern Highlands Province at the 5th PNG Games in Kokopo in 2012, securing her first gold medal in her first professional bodybuilding staging.
From then onwards, Misa developed the hunger and drive for successas she persevered her bodybuilding career.
On the 25th of September, Misa achieved the most incredible milestone at the age of 35; she was crowned Miss South Pacific in the Open Women Bodybuilding category. The 2015 Pacific Games will grant her with her lifetime dream – to compete in front of her countrymen and women.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=DpXVvWDGiwE%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
