Cook Islands middle distance champion Alex Beddoes has been named Athletics Cook Islands’ Open Male Athlete for the Year 2023 and Supreme Athlete of the Year.

In 2023, Beddoes started competing in various New Zealand and Australian events before heading off to the Northern Hemisphere to train and compete.

Athletics Cook Islands president Simone Fe’ao said Beddoes’ notable performances included winning the Scottish 800 metre title followed by an outstanding performance at the World Champs in Budapest in August. 

However, the 28-year-old was unable to compete in his premier event 800m at the Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands, due to illness. But he managed to recover enough to take bronze in the 1500m and set a new Cook Islands record as well as assist the 4x400m relay team to fifth place.

Open Male Athlete of the Year and Supreme Athlete of the Year Alex Beddoes with Iaveta Short. SUPPLIED / 24010310

Fe’ao says it is important to celebrate achievements and remember the efforts of the athletes and the management.

On December 17, 2023, the association got together and hosted the 2023 End of Year Awards for Athletics Cook Islands at Coastal Kitchen in Tupapa.

Fe’ao said it was the first time they held an annual awards event in many years. 

She said the evening was a celebration of dedication, hard work, and achievements of their athletes, coaches, and administrators who have contributed to the growth and success of athletics in the Cook Islands.

“It is important to hold these awards as they provide a platform to recognise and honour the outstanding performances and contributions of individuals and teams within the athletic community,” Fe’ao said.

Volunteer of the Year Marie William and Youth Female Athlete of the Year Emma Papali’i. SUPPLIED / 24010308

“By celebrating these achievements, we not only acknowledge the hard work and commitment of our athletes and mentors, but we also inspire the next generation of talent to pursue their dreams in the world of sports.”

Fe’ao said it was also a way to reinforce the values of sportsmanship, perseverance, and excellence that are at the heart of athletics.  

There were 13 categories that were awarded. Some of the highlights include:

• Global Kids Athletics Day Winner for World Athletics
• Hosted national events – Kumete Village Athletics, CITC Prince of Wales Primary School Athletics, Youth Champs, National Champs, Round Raro Road Race
• Participated in World Cross Country Champs, World Athletics Champs, Oceania Cup, Youth Commonwealth Games, Pacific Games and NZ Secondary Schools Champs
• Two awards at Cook Islands Sports Awards – Sportsman of the Year (Alex Beddoes) and Sports Administrator of the Year (Simone Fe’ao)
• Ran development academy for 50 officials, coaches and athletes
• Celebrated 60 years of athletics in the Cook Islands
• Achieved 50/50 Gender composition on our Board.

Fe’ao said this was all possible through the efforts of their volunteer athletics community – coaches, officials, marshalls, executive, and athletes.

“Special mention to our financial sponsors – CITC, BCI, Air Rarotonga, CIC Ocean Research, Wigmores, Crown Beach Resort, Moana Sands Group and Pacific Resort.”

She also acknowledged all their supporters and is looking forward to keeping the momentum in 2024.

Winners

Junior Boys Athlete of the Year - Edmund Postrzygacz. He is an all-round athlete, keen to play almost any sport and does so with lots of energy in passion. In 2023 Athletics, Edmund excelled on the track coming 3^rd in the 800m at 2^nd in the 1500 at Prince of Wales.

Junior Girls Athlete of the Year - Antonia Wearing. 2023 was her first athletics season and at 12 years old in Year 8 last year she has already accumulated a list of achievements. At the POW Primary School Champs, she was 1st in Shotput & Discus, she also entered the Cook Islands Youth Champs taking out the Junior Category 1st in Shotput and 1st In Discus. She entered herself into the National Champs and competed in the Open division achieving 2nd in Shotput and 4th Discus.

Youth Female Athlete of the Year - Emma Papali’i. In 2023 she represented Cook Islands on the world stage at the Youth Commonwealth games in T&T coming 4th in the world in Shotput. She has also represented us at the Auckland Champs, North Island Champs and NZSSAC champs. Her local achievements - Youth Champs 1st -100m, shot & Discus and relay, Nationals 1st-100m Shot & Discus. At 16 years old she is a well-seasoned athlete and is now giving back to the code and coaching the younger athlete.

Youth Male Athlete of the Year - Thomas Makimare. One of our Araura Enua superstars and is developing as a talented track athlete to look out for. Living in Aitutaki, with only a grass track can be challenging to keep up the training but it has been no obstacle for Thomas. At the Youth Champs in 2023- 1st in 100 & 200. Hungry for more, Thomas came back for the Nationals and took out the Open track coming 1st in 100,200, 400.

Open Female Athlete of the Year Tatiana Sherwin. 24010311

Open Female Athlete of the Year - Tatiana Sherwin.  She has been competing on the field since she was a teenager. Taking a break for a few years when she became a mother, she returned to the sport in 2022 taking up Javelin as well as coaching her partner Willyn in Javelin leading to his gold medal at the 2022 Cook Islands Games. Based in Aitutaki, she has continued to coach and train as well as bringing other developing athletes under her wing. In between her mother and coaching duties, she achieved 1st in Javelin at the Cook Islands Nationals and represented Cook Islands at the Pacific Games last year achieving 4th overall and new Personal best. 

Open Male Athlete of the Year and Supreme Athlete of the Year - Alex Beddoes

Masters Male Athlete of the Year- Piritau Nga. His talent is in high jump, long jump and triple jump. Last year he made the decision to focus on long jump and received expert coaching from Neil Bartlett – Auckland Athletics Development Manager. He was selected for the Pacific Games coming in with a 12th place ranking. Late in the Games he was able to achieve a massive 6.91 jump in the heats – a new PB and automatic qualifications for the finals. Piri followed this up in the finals with a notable finish of 5th overall in the Pacific.

Track Athlete of the Year - Daniel Tolosa. He set new levels including Pacific Games, he Made semi-finals for both 100m and 200m setting new Personal Bests in both events and is chasing down the Cook Islands records.

Emerging Athlete of the Year - Ana Ellison-Lupena. She first made herself known in the Cook Islands at the 2022 Cook Islands Games winning the open Discus at just 15 years old. She has gone on to represent Cook Islands at Youth CWG - 8th Discus , Pacific Games- 6th Discus, NZSSAC - 5th Discus and quietly set a New CI youth record for discus Nov 2023 42.19m. 

Volunteer of the Year Award - Marie William.

Lifetime Service Award - Teaea Parima.