Taea strikes gold

The Cook Islands’ sole track athlete taking part in the Delhi Commonwealth Games, Patricia Taea, has bagged a gold medal at the Oceania Area Championship in Cairns, Australia, this week.

The 17-year-old won gold in the women’s under 20 javelin with a distance of 37.17m.

Although this is reportedly not Taea’s personal best throw, it was enough for the ultimate prize.

The Titikaveka College student was also the flag bearer for the Cook Islands team at the Cairns meet.

Taea is in Cairns with Aitutaki athletes Pi David, Daniel Tutai and Ruruia David.

Pi David raced in the 100m sprints and placed fifth overall with a time of 12.40 seconds.

Ruruia David was scheduled to race in the 200m yesterday and the 100m sprints today.

Taea will also race in her preferred discipline, the 100m sprints, today –the same discipline she will race in at the Delhi Commonwealth Games.

Tutai will compete in the under 20 men’s javelin today.

The competition is due to wrap up over the weekend with the team scheduled to arrive back home on Saturday night, while Taea will be met in Auckland by Team Cook Islands on their way to Delhi.