The medal count begins

Tuesday 7: After the Cook Islands Games touch rugby and triathlon competition on Saturday, Vaka Puaikura and Te Au O Tonga are tied on the medal table with two gold medals each.

Vaka Puaikura’s first gold medal was thanks to their men’s touch team who beat Te Au O Tonga. The team second gold medal was won by triathlete Roland Neururer who cleaned up at the triathlon on Saturday.

Puaikura have also secured a silver medal which was won by the triathlon team of Roland Neururer, Jennie George and Mark Tatam while Jennie George picked up a bronze medal for the vaka.

Te Au O Tonga’s first gold medal was won by the women’s touch rugby team while the second medal was won by top female triathlete Vanessa Palmer.

The two silver medals for the vaka were won by the men’s touch team and second placed male triathlete Geoff Stoddart.

Takitumu Vaka owes its first gold medal to the Takitumu triathlon team of Thomas Henderson, Kevin Henderson and Kelly Pick.

Vaka Takitumu also picked up two bronze medals in the team triathlon thanks to Terry Meyer, Rangi Apera and Mark Tatam in the teams triathlon and Thomas Henderson who came third in the men’s triathlon.

Other teams on the medal table are the combined Rakahanga/Manihiki team Rama whose open men’s and women’s team won the bronze medal at the touch competition, while Mitiaro has one silver medal also won at the touch tournament. - MW