Apii Avarua defended the CITC Prince of Wales Primary School Athletics Championships with St Joseph’s School finishing in second place and Nikao coming in third.

The day two of the annual event held at the National Stadium in Nikao yesterday attracted 600 athletes from 11 schools and 100 volunteers. The day started with a breakfast hosted by CITC at 7.15am. At 8.30am each school marched around the stadium as part of the parade ceremony and competition started at 9am.

Following an intense battle during the day, the winners were announced and prizes were presented to top athletes and schools.

The senior girls champ was Mae-arii Opuariki from Apii Avarua and the senior boy champ was Phillip Teaea from Apii Nikao. The overall senior school winner was Apii Avarua.

Kierly Beniamina from St Joseph’s Primary claimed the intermediate girls champ award while the intermediate boys champ was Samuel Ravuaceva also from St Joseph’s. The intermediate overall school winner was Apii Avarua.

The junior girls champ award went to Amani Atera from Takitumu and Josef Urirau of Takitumu claimed the junior boys champ award. Apii Takitumu also won the junior division prize.

Kaylani Kahino from Arorangi was the preschool girl champ and Maraka Kumu was the boys champ. The preschool overall school winner was St Joseph’s.

Racers sprinting for the finish in the 75 metres dash at the Prince of Wales Schools Athletics Championship yesterday. Picture: CALEB FOTHERINGHAM/22091417

After the event, the Minister for Youth and Sports Vaine (Mac) Mokoroa congratulated Apii Avarua for claiming the overall title.

“Let’s look forward for the next Prince of Wales, let’s put in some more effort and let’s take some more cups in the next round of Prince of Wales,” Mokoroa said.

CITC general manager Gaye Whitta welcomed the new names of the trophies now called the CITC Prince of Wales Athletics Championships.

“(King’s representative) Sir Tom said earlier it’s a new era, we have a new Prince so I think it’s fitting that we have a new name,” Whitta said.

She said the event had been ongoing for about 50 years and had been called Prince of Wales for about 48 years.

Whitta thanked the event sponsors, including the CITC team, and Athletics Cook Islands.

The event started on Tuesday evening with the 800 and 1500 metres runs and some discus and high jump. All the other track and field disciplines were held yesterday.

Prior to the event, president of Athletics Cook Islands, Simone Fe’ao said the Prince of Wales competition was a good opportunity for children to find out what they’re good at and if they wanted to take it further.

Fe’ao said the competition was where former Cook Islands sprinter, Patricia Taea got her start. Taea represented the Cook Islands in the Olympics and Commonwealth games.