Cook Islands middle distance champion Alex Beddoes had mixed emotions following his medal-winning performance at the Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

With aspirations of securing more than a medal this year, Beddoes had set his sights on conquering his two main titles, the 1500 metres and 800m, at the 2023 Pacific Games which ended last night.

However, his plans were thrown into disarray when he succumbed to a foodborne illness, forcing him to withdraw from the 800m event this week.

Despite this setback, Beddoes demonstrated his resilience and determination, securing a bronze medal in the 1500m event – behind two Kiwi runners – on Wednesday night. His impressive performance not only earned him a podium finish but also resulted in a new personal best and a new Cook Islands record of 3:56.88 minutes.

In an interview with Cook Islands News, Beddoes said: “I’ve got mixed emotions, it’s the most disruptive last three weeks going into a race I’ve ever had, and while I’m happy I could at least get a medal in one of my events it stings that I had to withdraw from the 800m.”

Beddoes also played a crucial role as a coach to Pacific Games debutant Rupeni Mataitoga and served as a senior team member.

In another remarkable feat, Beddoes joined forces with Mataitoga, Max Teuruaa, and Daniel Tolosa to compete in the 4x400m relay. Despite facing a competitive field, the team managed to secure a fifth-place finish, setting a new Cook Islands record of 3:28.74 mins in the process.

Beddoes said: “For our relay, it's the first time in years the Cook Islands has managed to field a 4x400 relay team, I'm super proud of the way the guys ran.”

“It was nice to get the record but we could definitely go a lot faster if we were fresh (Rupeni and I had just an hour after the 1500m before the relay started, Daniel Tolosa also had his 200 semi-finals earlier that afternoon).

“None of us are actually specialised 400m runners so we aren't doing too bad to get fifth place.”

Looking ahead, Beddoes identified next year as a pivotal year as he gears up for the Olympic Games. He will return to Rarotonga before resuming his preparations overseas.

The 3x3 women’s basketball team secured Team Cook Islands’ final medal, a bronze, by defeating New Caledonia 21-12 in the third-place playoff match last night. In mixed touch competition, Cook Islands fell to Fiji in the bronze medal playoff, finishing in fourth place.