A special awards night held earlier this month by the Cook Islands Badminton Association (CIBA) acknowledged the effort and support from players and supporters in 2022.

Association president Thomas Mereana-Ngauru said the awards were also about recognising the hard work of parents, coaches and everyone involved throughout the year.

“All the age group national champions for the year were presented with awards and we included several special awards,” said Mereana-Ngauru. “We look forward to working with you all in 2023.”

The association also acknowledged Ahkim Tikaroa who is the next Serve-ing Pacific Badminton winner.

Ahkim was nominated for his commitment to excellence following his involvement in BWF Development and Shuttle Time – coaching, accompanying teams as manager and contributing as treasurer.

In 2023, CIBA have a couple of exciting events to look forward to beginning in February, when they will send their largest team of 22 athletes to represent the Cook Islands at the Victor Oceania Championships, to be held at North Harbour Badminton Centre in New Zealand.

In September 2023 Badminton hopes to return to Tauranga for the Espri AIMS Games, and in October the Cook Islands will compete in the World Junior Championships in Honolulu, Hawaii for the first time.

• Melina Etches

Winners

Badminton Cook Islands Awards Night 2022. Special Awards: Junior Player of the Year – Zarrian Heather-Rau, Senior Player of the Year – Danny Simpson, Personality of the Year – Daniel Akavi, Photo of the Year -  Bring it On, Coach of the Year – Hebrew Tom, Supporter of the Year – Jean Akavi.

Open Men’s Singles Champion: Emanuela Mataio, Runner-Up Eric Gamez, Consolation Winner - Kaiyin Mataio; Open Women’s Singles Champion - Te Pa Tupa, Runner-Up - Tereapii Akavi, Consolation Winner - Tuaanaore Mitchell.

Open Men’s Doubles Champions: Danny Simpson and Eric Gamez, Runner-Up - Daniel Akavi and Emanuela Mataio, Consolation Winners - Damus Matakino and Hebrew Tom; Open Women’s Doubles Champions - Tereapii Akavi and Te Pa Tupa, Runner-Up - Tehani Matapo and Tuaanaore Mitchell; Consolation Winners - Vaitea Crocombe-Ama and Lana Aperau-Toa; Open Mix Doubles Champions - Agus Hariyanto and Tereapii Akavi, Runner-Up - Zarrian Heather-Rau and Te Pa Tupa, Consolation Winners - Kaiyin Mataio and Ngaoa Ranginui.

Under 19 National Champions: Boys Singles Champion – Emanuela Mataio, Runner Up – Daniel Akavi; Girls Singles Champion – Te Pa Tupa, Runner Up – Tuaanaore Mitchell. Boys Doubles Champion – Zarrian Heather-Rau and Daniel Akavi, Runner Up – Kaiyin Mataio and Tahitoa Webb; Girls Doubles Champion – Te Pa Tupa and Tereapii Akavi, Runner Up – Casonya Bates and Darlene Kureta; Mix Doubles Champion – Zarrian Heather-Rau and Vaitea Crocombe-Ama, Runner Up – Tahitoa Webb and Tuaanaore Mitchell.

Under 15 National Champions: Boys Singles Champion – Zarrian Heather-Rau, Runner Up – Kaiyin Mataio; Girls Singles Champion – Te Pa Tupa, Runner Up – Vaitea Crocombe-Ama; Boys Doubles Champion – Zarrian Heather-Rau and Tahitoa Webb, Runner Up – Kaiyin Mataio and Edward Patai; Girls Doubles Champion – Te Pa Tupa and Lana Aperau-Toa; Runner Up – Edon Teraitua and Vaitea Crocombe-Ama; Mix Doubles Champion – Zarrian Heather-Rau and Te Pa Tupa, Runner Up – Tahitoa Webb and Darlene Kureta.

Under 13 National Champions: Boys Singles Champion – Makea Pauka, Runner-Up – Haize Gamez; Girls Singles Champion – Edon Teraitua, Runner Up – Arihoia Sprague-Marsters; Boys Doubles Champion – Makea Pauka and Haize Gamez, Runner Up – Uhain Gamez and Vincent Simpson; Girls Doubles Champion – Edon Teraitua and Arihoia Sprague-Marsters, Runner Up – Talia Bond Adams and Maraea Wichman.

Under 11 National Champions: Boys Singles Champion – Numangatini Halston, Runner-Up - Arera Tupa; Girls Singles Champion – Trudeinus Tuaputa, Runner-Up – Hinaarii Taulu-Amo; Boys Doubles Champion – Numangatini Halston and Tangtoru Heather, Runner-Up - Arera Tupa and Rigan Wichman; Girls Doubles Champion – Trudeinus Tuaputa and Hinaarii Taulu-Amo, Runner Up – Mahealani Mataio and Eila Blundell.