As the first week of the thrilling Cook Islands Games sports competition between the 11 islands draws to a close, excitement is at an all-time high.

Athletes from various disciplines have showcased their skills, determination and sportsmanship across numerous events on island and out in the big blue.

As of Saturday morning, Aitutaki led the open category with nine gold, 16 silver and six bronze medals, accumulating a total of 99 points. Mangaia was placed second with 58 points after earning six gold, seven silver and seven bronze medals. Mitiaro was third with 58 points, securing five gold, eight silver and nine bronze medals.

In the masters category, Mitiaro led with five gold, five silver and five bronze medals and 45 points followed by Mangaia with four gold, four silver and a bronze medals (33 points) and Rakahanga with three gold, two silver and two bronze medals (23 points).

In the youth division, Mitiaro was leading with 10 gold, five silver and four bronze medals, totalling 69 points, followed by Rakahanga with nine gold, five silver and four bronze medals (64 points) and Aitutaki with three gold, 11 silver and 12 bronze medals (60 points).

Team Rarotonga masters, led by Prime Minister Mark Brown (middle), managed a bronze medal. C.B SPORTS OFFICIAL/ 24101322

Intense medal matches and races between the islands competing for a place on the podium in athletics, darts, golf, beach handball, oe vaka, sailing, table tennis and triathlon were held on Saturday.

It was a stunning Saturday for the men’s laser standard racing out at beautiful Muri lagoon.

Former national sailing representatives TeAkuao “Tex” Framhein (Mauke) and Jan Sijp (Palmerston) got back into sailing mode just like they have never left, as well as sailing coach Jacobo Miquel (Tongareva) in the laser standard.

From 9am, the sailors battled it out on the water in seven intense and exciting races over five hours with Framhein taking the top honour of gold, Miquel silver and Sijp bronze medal.

The sailing medal ceremony was held at 5pm bringing the week’s racing to a close.

The 2024 Cook Islands Games Sailing Laser Standard Male champions. From left: Jacobo Miquel Tongareva – silver, TeAkuao “Tex” Framhein Mauke – Gold and Jan Sijp Palmerston – bronze. MELINA ETCHES/24101308 OR The 2024 Cook Islands Games Sailing Laser Standard Male champions. From Left: TeAkuao “Tex” Framhein Mauke – Gold, Jan Sijp Palmerston – Silver, and Jacobo Miquel Tongareva – Bronze. MELINA ETCHES/24101303

Beach handball wrapped up on Saturday with the small but mighty Mitiaro having an amazing run, collecting four medals.

Tashi Tutai, leader of the green machine, said Mitiaro entered in all five beach handball categories for the first time.

“Proud is an understatement, we managed to come away with four medals. Our men just narrowly missing out on a bronze in a shoot-out,” she said.

“I’m so proud and so grateful to each and every one who played a part in our handball family from the players to the coaches, managers, sports therapist with strapping and massages (thank you Manaseli Hoff), chefs and all our supporters, we really appreciate it.”

Mitiaro proudly collected beach handball gold medals in the Under 18 Men and Women, a gold medal in Mixed Masters ad silver in Open Women.

The 2024 Cook Islands Games Tennis Under 18 girls champions. From left, Antonia Wearing Mangaia – Bronze, Terā-'itirere-ki-Avaiki “Mama Ra” Rongo Mauke – Gold and Maiata Matheson Aitutaki – Silver. JACKIE RONGO/24101313

At the Nikao tennis courts, 12-year-old Terā-'itirere-ki-Avaiki “Mama Ra” Rongo of Mauke was up against the best in the Under 18 Girls event.

Rongo fought her way through on the court winning gold, with Maiata Matheson (Aitutaki) settling for silver and Antonia Wearing (Mangaia) claiming bronze medal.

Tane Wichman of Palmerston, who was the Under 18 Boys gold champion, and Rongo both competed in the East Pacific Qualifiers in Tahiti this April under the guidance of Cook Islands tennis coach Malcolm Kajer.

Today marks the start of the final week of the 2024 Cook Islands Games. Badminton, beach volleyball, boxing, cricket, football and touch competitions start today.

The Games closing ceremony will be held on Saturday at the National Stadium in Nikao.

• Melina Etches

Results

Beach Handball: Under 18 Women – Gold: Mitiaro, Silver: Rarotonga, Bronze: Aitutaki; Under 18 Men – Gold: Mitiaro, Silver: Rarotonga, Bronze: Manihiki.

Masters Mix – Gold: Mitiaro, Silver: Manihiki, Bronze: Rarotonga.

Open Women – Gold: Rarotonga, Silver: Mitiaro, Bronze: Manihiki; Open Men – Gold: Manihiki, Silver: Atiu, Bronze: Aitutaki.