Masters fit and fired up

Cook Islands masters athletes have always been successful at international meets and this year’s team preparing for the Oceania Championships in Tahiti look to continue that trend.

A team of 19 athletes will represent the Cooks at the championships scheduled to be held between July 3 and 10.

And it’s been full on training for the group since last year. On Wednesday the athletes were again at the BCI Stadium polishing up their running and throwing techniques.

The championships will have close to 300 participants, with about 100 entries from Australia, around 70 from New Zealand, small teams from New Caledonia, Nauru, the Cook Islands and a strong team of about 80 representing French Polynesia.

For most of the 19 Cook Islands athletes, this will be their first time representing the country at a masters’ meet, however for the stalwarts this will be their 4th championships and for David Lobb – this will be his sixth.