Darts Cook Islands are in control as they continue to play well at the 4th South Pacific Darts Championship Suva, Fiji defending their historic gold medals.

In January 2023, both the men and women’s teams made history when they smashed their way to gold in these championships when they entered for the first time.

“We have to defend our titles this year, not just the team’s golds, but also the individual titles,” said Kopurai Anguna, president of the Cook Islands Darts Association, and secretary general of the South Pacific Darts Championship has earlier said.

And as of yesterday, the Cook Islands women remained unbeaten as they moved into the third day of the tournament.

The women successfully edged out Niue in a tight game. The atmosphere was electric as the players approached the final rounds at the Metro Gym in Suva.

“Our men’s and women’s teams’ performance this time has been steady. It's different, but the team have found their rhythm and are playing well,” said Darts media officer Maria Tuoro from Fiji yesterday.

She was confident the Cooks have the mental capacity to hold their games. “It's different every time,” she added.

The championship is being held at the Metro Gym in Suva, from January 20-26, and features a variety of competitions, with singles, doubles, and team events.

The Cooks 29-member team are competing against Fiji, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu.

The teams are made up of Triples who play singles then pairs – six all up. The first to six wins.

On Day 1 and Day 2, the women blitzed all their games beating Papua New Guinea 7 – 4, Nauru 7 – 4, and Vanuatu 8 - 2.

The 2025 Cook Islands Darts Association men's team at the 4th South Pacific Darts Championship in Suva, Fiji, have won most of their games in the first three days of the event. MARIA TUORO/25012206

The men won all their games except for one in the first two days, losing against Fiji.

A team of officials and managers accompanied the team to ensure a smooth flow of operations taking care of the team including menial tasks like slicing fruit, currency exchanges runs, organising rooms and transport, and technical scoring.

It was earlier reported that the team has a special combination of mother-daughter duo of Tearii Riro and Tangi Tangapiri, who is also a national football representative. Both women play for the Ma’i Darts Club.

James Mata from the Avatiu-Nikao Swampee Darts Club is also a member of the squad. He has scored DCI’s highest number of 180s (12) for the season, and high finishes.

Two Cook Islands women, Tarita Dean and Taylor-Marsh Kahiki, who are based in New Zealand, also joined the team. Kahiki is ranked fourth among New Zealand women and 45th in the World Darts Federation main ranking women.

The 2025 Cook Islands Darts Team are:

Management team: Manager - Kopurei Anguna, Media – Maria Tuoro, Aporo and Shona Kirikava, Terangi and Tui Sila, Ina Atai, Travel Williams, and Mary DeLuze Hosking.

Men: Temata Matapo, Charlie Tapurau Hosking, Marsh Tamatea, Terepai Urirau, Puruata Tuapou, Manolito Tekopua, James Mata, Enoka Teaukura, Marc Marlon Rebollos, Roimata Peraua.

Women: Metua Kite, Teremoana Ioane, Tearii Riro, Rotana Tangapiri, Moeroa Raeina, Gardenia Moetaua, Taylor-Marsh Kahaki, Tarita Dean, Claudia Pepe, Kopurei Anguna.