New athletics records were set in the field events at the Cook Islands Games 2024 last week.

Athletics Cook Islands president Simone Fe’ao confirmed that the Open Men’s Discus new record was set by Metuaiviivi Tepai Herman, 24-year-old of Team Mangaia.

Herman’s new record of 45 metres beats the previous record of 44.96m set by Robert McNabb in 1999.

The second national record was broken by the Under 18 Men’s Shot Put gold medallist, 15-year-old Kingston Pupuke-Robati, of Mitiaro.

Pupuke-Robati’s 15.5m throw broke the old record of 13.85m, set in 2009 by Mau George.

Team Mangaia’s Tatjiana Areai, who is 18 years of age, broke the women’s high jump record, setting a new record of 1.63m. The previous record was held by Vicki Kiel of Rarotonga, set in 1991.

Metuamaru Arere of Aitutaki clocked 13.14 seconds, finishing ahead of Tatjiana Areai, 15, of Mangaia and Tearoa Rouru, 18, of Mitiaro at the National Stadium 100m track in Nikao last week. Areai, who is 18 years of age, broke the women’s high jump record. ACI/24101505

Fe’ao said they had quite a few teenagers dominating in the opens division which was really promising for the future of athletics.

She said a stand out athlete was 13-year-old Metuamaru Arere from Aitutaki who won first place in the Women’s 100 metre, 200m, Long Jump and 4x 400 events. 

“She is part of the team selected to participate in the New Zealand Secondary School Athletics Champs in December this year.”

Arere is one of the national youth development athletes from Aitutaki training under coach Pi David Jnr.

“These are the young athletes that we are working on developing to put us in a great position for the Pacific Mini Games being hosted in Rarotonga in 2029.”

The athletics event that concluded on Saturday had 500 athletes participating and 381 medals won from the 109 events hosted.