Pacific Mini Games 2009

Day

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Coverage of the Pacific Mini Games 2009, Cook Islands

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Events and latest draws

Games finale

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What a wonderful fortnight we’ve just had.

Our love of sport brought us together, and our love of fun and fellowship made it magical.

We salute all who competed, and all who helped in support roles as officials and volunteers.

Cook Islands News thanks our advertisers, and our readers, for giving us a good reason to tell the stories and bring you the pictures, as a record of the achievements and the moments that made the 2009 Pacific Mini Games such an epic event.

Ka kite and kia manuia.

Fiery end to fantastic games

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Passion fires Samoa to victory and gold

A Fiji player finds his legs tied up by a Samoan defender with another coming in to make sure he doesn’t get any more yards. 3 91002103

The Toa Samoa rugby sevens team proved that passion can beat skill and class when they stormed the classy Fijian outfit to win the gold medal in their finals match yesterday.

Fuelled by the emotion of the tsunami tragedy, Samoa played like possessed men, leaving the Fijians stumped.

Samoa came out firing to keep Fiji scoreless until the last five minutes of the game when Fiji scored two tries in quick succession, but it wasn’t enough to pull back Samoa’s 38 point lead with the game ending 38-12.

In the stands of the BCI stadium, Team Samoa sang with joy as the team’s medal brought some light in what have been a dark few days for the nation.

Tonga was another surprise package yesterday when they overthrew Niue in the bronze medal match to win 38-12.

The Cook Islands had a winning day yesterday but it was just too little too late after bowing out of any medal contention on the first day of competition.

Nevertheless they trucked on to beat the Solomon Islands 32-5 in the plate semi finals to meet and beat Papua New Guinea in the 5th and 6th place playoff 17-12.

Aere ra, e kia manuia!

Atiu warriors during their farewell dance at last evening’s closing ceremony. 91002132

The eighth Pacific Mini Games came to a close last night in true Cook Islands fashion.

Drum beats and beautiful ura sent off athletes from the 21 nations that took part in the games and shared the moments over the past 12 days.

And there were some amazing moments including the wonderful closing ceremony.

In fact, Cook Islands culture was the centre of attention on the last night of the games with Te Maeva Nui teams putting on a show for our visitors to remember.

Not a negative word was said about the overall games at the closing with the people of the Cook Islands uniting to say farewell to our Pacific brothers and sisters.

As they did at the opening ceremony, teams paraded again through the BCI stadium with each nation picking their outstanding athlete of the games as their flag bearer.

For the Cook Islands, double tennis gold medallist Kai- rangi Vano was honoured with the role.

The youngster’s awesome performance on the tennis court has taken her from a little known athlete to a household name.

So have a number of other Cook Islands athletes like sailing sensation Helema Williams and golfing pro Elmay Viking and bowls brothers in arms David Akaruru and Nelson Akava to name just a few.

Solomon Islands mini star Betty Babalu who won the 5000m run, albeit causing some controversy, carried her nation’s flag and so did Samoan queen of weightlifting Ele Opeloge.

Not a single team will leave our shores without having had some magic moments – many of which will centre around the generosity of the Cook Islands people.

Not all memories will be fond ones though as some athletes will no doubt never forget about the moment they let a medal slip through their fingers – especially a gold one.

But there will be other games to prove themselves like the next Pacific Mini Games in Wallis and Futuna in 2013, and of course the full-size Pacific Games in New Caledonia in 2011.

Mixed with the joy and celebration of the closing ceremony, a moment of silence was called and candles lit in honour of the tsunami victims in the Samoas and in Tonga, and for their warriors who carried on the fight on the sports field.

The moment of silence also brought home the strength of the love Pacific islanders have for their families and for each other.

After a moving prayer by Bishop Tutai Pere, it was time to reflect on the good times and share them with newfound friends.

Fireworks brought the festivities to an end at the BCI stadium with teams heading to town for some fun.

Rarotonga will no doubt grind back to its slower pace by Sunday – but 2009 Pacific Mini Games moments will be talked about for some time to come.

Games highlights

Tennis ace Kairangi Vano has made a name for herself as the leading women’s player at the 2009 Pacific Mini Games – and a darling of the Cook Islands. 09100153

The highs, and lows, at the Pacific Mini Games have been many – from the opening ceremony on Monday, September 21, right through to last night’s closing at BCI Stadium.

At sports games, the highs are usually about winning medals – not necessarily gold – and breaking records.

Ramesh Bina from New Caledonia won the first gold at the games in the women’s javelin on the first day of competition – Tuesday, September 22. Tongan Ana Po’uhila broke the women’s discus record on the same day – Tereapii Tapoki winning the country’s first medal, a bronze in the same event.

Po’uhila was to repeat the feat in the hammer throw and shot put.

Who could forget 12-year-old Solomon Islands’ Betty Babu’s win in the 5000m, along with Chris Votu’s win in the 3000m steeple-chase, and then the 10,000m.

But it was the Fijians who dominated at the athletics – sprinters Niko Verekauta and Makelesi Bulikiobo winning five golds each, and javelin thrower Leslie Copeland throwing a new record of 74.98m. Bulikiobo broke the women’s 100m record in 11.97s.

The Tahitians cleaned up in the oe vaka (paddling) sprints in Muri lagoon, and also in the longer races – any crew that stops paddling for a drinks break has got to be good!

September 25 will probably be remembered as Golden Friday for the Cooks.

It was the day that the home country won seven golds – four in golf, two in bowls and one for the men’s touch team. And that doesn’t include the bronze for the men’s individual golf (Sonny Karati), the men’s bowling pairs silver, the women’s touch silver, the two silvers and bronze in paddling, and Mau George’s shot put bronze.

New Caledonia’s Frederic Erin broke two records in the jump pit – setting 7.74m in the long jump and 16.03m in the triple jump.

The half marathon was won by Georges Richmond (Tahiti Nui) in 1:14:01.52 – New Caledonia’s Josiane Chipeaux was the first women home.

Fiji took gold in the netball over Papua New Guinea, who in turn relegated the hosts to third place.

At the boxing, the super heavyweight bout between Tafai Nena (Tahiti Nui) and Jake Ageidu (Nauru) was one of the most exciting matches during the competition.

But it was the Samoan Afaese Fata Kalepi who was the pick of the boxers – showing class, power and good defence on the way to his gold in the 75kg division. In the heavyweight class, local boy Vengi Hagai was unable to connect with the left hook – Tahitian Richardet Mahanora taking gold.

The Tahitians showed up in force at the boxing, although there were a few surprises from Kiribati and Nauru.

New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea (women) provided the form players and teams in squash, with Michael Rocklinger and Barbara Stubbings (both PNG) taking gold in the singles.

Vanuatu was strong, along with Fiji, Tahiti Nui and New Caledonia, in table tennis, with Priscila Tommy and Yoshua Shing from Vanuatu taking out the individual titles.

The lifters from Micronesia and Samoa dominated the weightlifting – with Epe Opologe (Samoa), Yukio Peter (Nauru) and Itte Detenamo (Nauru) predictably breaking South Pacific lifting records.

Sam Pera Jnr and younger brother Sirla didn’t disappoint, and the appearance of young Luisa Peters was a boost for women’s weightlifting.

The Cook Islands women surprised many at tennis, and its sailors ruled the waves.

For the home country, the highlights would have to be the gold medals – four in golf, four in bowls, three in sailing, two in touch and two in tennis.

Apart from tennis, one could say that the Cooks certainly did dominate in the sports it won gold in.

Roll on Noumea 2011.

Down for the count

Albert Temaititahio of Tahiti puts Isimeli Cagica down for an eight count in the first round of their 69kg bout – the Fijian came back strongly in the third to nearly stage an upset. PHOTO HARVIE ALLISON 09092288

Albert Temaititahio of Tahiti puts Isimeli Cagica down for an eight count in the first round of their 69kg bout – the Fijian came back strongly in the third to nearly stage an upset.

15 golds, 15 stars

National pride was boosted big time during the 2009 Pacific Mini Games as we got behind our athletes to do their best. 90930120

Ladies fours gold medallists (from left) Teokotai Jim, Matauri Raeputa, Mou Tokorangi and Kanny Vaile on the podium. 09100121

Congratulations Team Cook Islands

If you look at Team Cook Islands hard enough, you will find that each of the 15 islands is represented by an athlete or two like the sailors from Manihiki, boxers from Pukapuka, table tennis players from Mauke, sprinters from Aitutaki, league players from Mangaia and the list goes on.

Coincidence or fate then saw Team Cook Islands win 15 gold medals – one for each island.

Add 13 silver medals and 17 bronze to the haul and you have one nation on a high with 45 medals.

Out of the 15 codes, 12 ended their PMG campaign with medals.

Our largest gold medal hauls came from the golf course and the bowls green.

Lawn bowlers rolled their way to four gold medals in the ladies pairs, ladies triples and ladies fours. David Akaruru was the only man to pick up a gold medal on the green in the men’s singles competition.

On the golf course – the gold medal wins were a team effort with both the men’s and women’s team picking up gold medals.

Striking out on their own to win individual gold medals were Kirk Tuaiti and Aitutaki born Elmay Viking.

To add a bit of variety to the golf medal haul, Sonny Karati scored a bronze medal in the men’s individual category.

Our sailors, who won the most medals award at the prizegiving aboard Vaka Te Au O Tonga, will bask in the glory of their success for some time to come with three gold medals.

Two of the gold medals were won on team points in the Laser radial and Laser standard with Helema Williams picking up the gold after 15 perfect races, of which she won all but two.

The sport of tennis also made history with two gold medals by the gutsy Kairangi Vano in the singles and doubles with partner Brittany Teei.

Touch rugby players also delivered a great result with a gold medal won by the men’s team and a hard fought gold by the mixed team.

It would have been three gold medals but the ladies just missed out to take the silver medal and share gold in the mixed competition.

On the track and field Tereapii Tapoki picked up two bronze medals and league player Mau George managed to win a bronze medal in the shot put.

In the ring, Pukapukan boxers Vengi Hagai and Osolai Agai won silver and bronze respectively.

For our netballers, a bronze medal was better than no medal at all.

The rebellious league lads socked it to their critics and pulled the silver medal after two losses and one draw on the first day of competition.

The triathlon bronze medal was another team effort achievement thanks to Geoff Stoddart, Thomas Henderson and Jennie George.

On the water, silver was the go for our paddlers who won four silver medals and two bronzes.

And at the weightlifting – brothers Sam Pera Jnr and Sirla Pera between them won three silver medals and two bronze medals.

The most amazing scenes were seen when Cook Islands athletes collected their medals with their children and babies ensuring future Cook Islands athletes know what to strive for – to be the best.

What an effort by Team Cook Islands, but gold medals should also go to the volunteers, cleaners, organisers and everyone who had a hand in making sure that our athletes had the best possible stage to perform on.

Congratulations Team Cook Islands. - MW

The volunteers made it happen

Avarua School volunteers were praised for their hospitality as teachers became cleaners, security officers and drivers during the last two weeks. 09100269

Without them, the Pacific Mini Games wouldn’t have been possible.

The volunteers may not have been the stars of the show but it was their dedication, hard work and friendly faces that helped make the games successful.

Around 1005 people assisted in various roles such as liaison officers, security officers, cleaners, drivers, technical officials, accommodation helpers and with a wide range of tasks at the sports events.

Dining hall volunteers did the serving and cleaning at the eight venues around the island.

Head of human resources and volunteers Ngarangi Tangaroa says the effort made by both the Rarotonga and Aitutaki volunteers was fantastic.

“My primary concern was ensuring we had the people to help run the games and it’s been great – with the managers making sure everyone is running well.”

People of all ages from the more experienced to the young and eager had tasks and jobs that enabled them to share the games moments. Many gave up the school holidays to lend a hand.

“We had quite a few young volunteers in the sport area, for example the ball kids,” she says. “They were great, running around helping out our athletes. They always looked excited being part of the games. I hope it’s something they can remember in the future that they were a part of this.”

Tangaroa says they’ve received positive feedback from visiting teams of the hospitality and welcome they received.

“We heard of volunteers going beyond their duty, helping the athletes, taking them to places, showing them the way. I’ve told them they’re the people the athletes from Pacific get to meet and interact with, and they’ve done well.”

The tennis kids

Tennis ball boys and girls provided their own energy and excitement as they served at every game during the nine days of the competition. 09100149

Tennis ball boys and girls provided their own energy and excitement as they served at every game during the nine days of the competition.

Sensational sailors!

Sailing gold and silver medallist Junior Charlie gets into the celebrations yesterday. 09100211

8 sailors, 7 medals

Our sensational sailors were welcomed back to Rarotonga yesterday morning in what was an emotional and joyous occasion.

A crowd of more than 100 people from the Manihiki, Rakahanga and sports communities gathered at the airport to welcome home their children.

They lined the airport runway forming a guard of honour for the eight sailors, their coaches and managers with a 30-strong drumming team creating a festive atmosphere.

Gold medal sailor Helema Williams had the honour of leading the team off the plane and couldn’t believe the number of people that had come out for the welcome.

They were greeted by the staff of Air Rarotonga, sponsors of their code, before families and friends engulfed them with hugs, kisses and ei before the tarmac became one big ura floor.

By the time the team made their way through the throng of well wishers, their gold, silver and bronze medals were well and truly covered by ei made with love by their families.

Once in the airport terminal, the entire community there to greet the sailors thundered out a very moving hymn which had tears of joy and pride streaming down the faces of the singing mamas while some of the sailors used their mini national flags to wipe away tears.

Even minister of youth and sports Ngamau Munokoa was overcome with emotion.

“These are not sad tears,” she said.

“These are tears of pride. No te tu ngakauparau.”

Team Cook Islands chef de mission George George was also looking very proud.

“When these kids left for Aitutaki I was very sad. I didn’t want them to go. I was like a father losing a child.”

“But now I’m a father welcoming back his kids who have brought home some great gifts.”

In total the eight members of the Cook Islands sailing team won seven medals.

Helema Williams was the outright gold medal winner in the women’s laser radial class with fellow team mate Teau McKenzie taking the bronze.

Together the pair won the gold medal in the teams event.

In the men’s Laser standard class, Junior Charlie fought hard for his silver medal with Taua Elisa a point of a point behind him to take the bronze and together they won the gold medal in the teams event.

In the Hobie class, the Cook Islands crew of Peter Tierney, Toka Narayan, Aquila Tatira and Tanus Henry managed to win a bronze medal in the teams event.

The sailors were awarded their medals on Friday on board voyaging vaka Te Au O Tonga in what was a uniquely Aitutaki and Cook Islands medal ceremony.

Nearby a barge with a makeshift grandstand for around 150 Aitutaki school children cheered on as our sailors received their medals.

The sailors will be pleased to be back home with their families now, and look forward to a brighter Sailing Cook Islands future.

And the future looks very bright indeed with Turtles Sportswear announcing its commitment to Sailing Cook Islands with a $30,000 scholarship for young sailors at $6000 a year.

Back from Aitutaki

Team Cook Islands sailors share the moment with their code sponsor Air Rarotonga on the tarmac yesterday. 09100206

Farewell to the Games

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We shared the moments for 12 action filled days and last night at the BCI Stadium all nations involved in the 2009 Pacific Mini Games gathered together for one last time to bid each other farewell.