Team Cook Islands have kicked off their campaign with some spectacular highlights and efforts displayed from young talent coming through, despite our tough start to the games.

Day 1 action on Saturday proved our lawn bowlers are truly up against some fierce competition and with the success from the last games have created a target on their backs. Yet, in true Cook Islands spirit they are not going down without a fight. Rarotongan based athlete, Nooroa Mataio, bravely stepped up and qualified for the quarter finals in Women’s Singles after a tough day for other categories. Her journey fell short after going down to a fierce Malaysian competitor.

Lanihei Connolly, a young swimming sensation, sparked the team with pride as she made it through to the 50 metre Women’s Breaststroke semi-final. She continued to display such world class maturity, continuing to smash expectations by qualifying for the semifinal in women’s 100m Breaststroke. Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) secretary general Owen Lewis was incredibly impressed with the swimmer as he dubbed Lani “an up and coming force to be reckoned with”. The emphasis on Connolly being the fact that she has well and truly made the nation proud debuting with Team Cook Islands at the youthful age of 16 and performing with such a mature presence. Connolly’s final placing in the games was 14^th place overall.

Over the last four days the highlight of the games has been witnessed out of competition action with another Team Cook Islands debutante, Tawhiri Toheriri-Hallett.

At 22 years old Tawhiri has truly shown the spirit of sport in displaying the value of fair play and capturing the hearts of many nations with his brave boxing performance.

Shortly after a tough fight, Tawhiri took time to offer a few tips to a budding Birmingham five-year-old boy who attended the games with his family.

Absolutely captivated by our Cook Islands middleweight boxer, the bright-eyed boy drew a small crowd to witness a quick beginners boxing lesson.

• Adoniah Lewis in Birmingham, United Kingdom