Elizabeth Osifelo/PACNEWS

Having started wrestling at the age of five, Mia reflected on her desire to achieve more for her country and her people.

"In wrestling, it just depends on your day, and today wasn’t my day.

"I can't predict the game or the outcome, but I know myself and what I need to work on to come back stronger," she said.

Mia's journey to the Olympics began a year ago at the World Championships, followed by the Continental Olympic Qualifiers, where she placed in the top two.

She qualified not only in the Oceania region but also in the African region, securing her spot for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

Since 2014, Mia has competed internationally in both the 60kg and 53kg categories, with her most recent competition in the 2023 Women's 53kg Freestyle Wrestling in Belgrade.

At her first Olympic Games, she competed in the 53kg category, having switched from 60kg as she grew leaner.

"As I got older, I started to get leaner, so it was a decision I had to make," she explained.

It took time for her to assess herself, but she decided to drop the weight and remain at 53kg.

Despite Paris 2024 being her first Olympics, Mia has strong family support, with her father as her coach and her younger sister, Rckaela, a second-time Olympic athlete.

"It means the world to me to be at this Olympics with my younger sister," Mia said.

"It is bittersweet, and I’m very proud of her (Rckaela) being at the Olympics for the second time.

"There’s no stopping for both of us, and I encourage other women and girls in Guam and other Pacific Island countries to try wrestling.

"Wrestling is where it’s at, ladies. It brings out confidence and inner strength."