Badminton Cook Islands is proud of their young players’ performance at the Zespri AIMS Games in New Zealand.

Claude Simpson and Edon Teraitua of Apii Avarua won silver medals after competing in the Badminton doubles competition at the Zespri AIMS Games in New Zealand.

Makea Pauka and Siaosi Cowan of Nukutere College won the Division 2 Boys Doubles

Maraea Wichman and Talia Adams of Nukutere College also won the Division 2 Girls Doubles.

Badminton Cook Islands president Thomas Ngauru said they were pleased with the win and also with the performance of the 15 young players ages 11-13 who represented the Cook Islands.

Earlier in the week Ngauru said they were really proud of the team’s performance and they have done well.

“For most of them this is their first time overseas, for an international tournament. It is all about getting them to that level of environment and learning how to handle their nerves and the crowd.”

Ngauru acknowledged the Cook Islands Tauranga family and supporters from the Cook Islands for being there for the team.

He also acknowledged major sponsor Bank South Pacific (BSP) and CITC (Cook Islands Trading Corporation) for support in getting the team to New Zealand.

The results for the rest of the team for the doubles event are:

• Raeyaan Narayan and Trudeinus Tuaputa, Division One, Mixed Doubles, Top-8, Apii Avarua.
• Terito Napa and Itirangi Nicholas-Herman, Division One, Girls Doubles Top 16 -Apii Nikao.
• Vincent Simpson and Caleb Lim (NZ), Division One, Boys Doubles Top 8- Apii Nikao
• Haize Gamez, Uhain Gamez, Division 2, Boys Doubles Top 4- Apii Nikao
• Victor Anselmo and Prince Strickland, Division 3, Boys Doubles, Top 8- Apii Arorangi

Where to from here? 

Ngauru said: “More training!  For a couple of these players they will attend the Oceania U17 Challenge in Australia in February, and the New Zealand Junior Team Championships in July in Palmerston North”

Meanwhile, the Badminton Worlds team will depart in two weeks on September 22, via Auckland / San Francisco. 

He said the team has been training four days a week and are going through their final preparations. 

“The team is excited and nervous but looking forward to rubbing shoulders with top juniors from all around the world.”

He said first up will be the team event where the Cook Islands will face in Group D Germany, India, Brazil and Dominican Republic