Mangaia clean sweeps Manea football

The island of Mangaia made history this week when it pulled off a clean sweep in the Manea Games football competition on Mangaia.

The island won the gold medal in all three of the tournaments categories being the under 18 men and the open mens and womens competitions.

Mangaia won gold after defeating all their opponents in the round robin competition.

Not to be shown up defending Manea Games champions from Araura Enua had a clean sweep of their own.

The island took out the gold medals in the touch rugby competition with fantastic skills on display by the islands team.

Host island Mangaia also had skilled players on the touch rugby field and they picked up the four silver medals with Aitutaki taking all four gold medals.

On the island to hand out medals was minister of sports Mark Brown who congratulated the victorious warriors and the Manea Games organising committee for the wonderful hosting of the zone games.

Meanwhile athletes began the athletics programme with a 5.30am cross country run before the track and field events.

Today netballers will take to the court and rugby players will take to the field for the rugby sevens tournament.

Thanks to the four gold medal haul in the touch rugby competition the island of Aitutaki has surged to the top of the medal tally with a total of 29 gold medals, 21 silver and 10 bronze for a total of 60 medals on Wednesday night.

Host island Mangaia were in second place on Wednesday night with 25 gold, 24 silver and 17 bronze medals for a total of 66 medals while Mauke are in third place with 8 gold, 14 silver and 22 bronze for a total of 44 medals.

Mitiaro has accumulated 13 medals so far including 3 silver medals and 10 bronzes.

Tonight also marks the end of the games with the closing ceremony scheduled for 7pm.