Over 20 records were broken at the BCI National Youth Championships held on Friday.

Amongst the senior records broken was national sprinter Daniel Tolosa who dominated the senior track events at the National Stadium in Nikao.

Tolosa set a new record for the 16-year-old 100-metre sprint at 11.10 seconds. He also set new records for the senor boys 200m sprint at 23.2 seconds and 400m run at 54.7 seconds.

A new junior boys high jump record was also set by Zarrian Heather-Rau who jumped 1.73 metres – the highest jump recorded on the day by 13 centimetres.

In the girl’s division, Tiara-Anzia Tere set the new 16-year-old 100 metres sprint record after clocking 13.6 seconds. Tere also beat the new record for the 17-year-old girls 100m sprint of 13.9 seconds set by Silia Vainepoto.

Vainepoto also set a new 400m sprint record in the age group after managing to finish the race in 1 minute 08.5 seconds.

In the field events, Emi Akava threw a 3kg shotput 10.99 metres to set a new record in the junior girls. In the intermediate division, Emma Papali'i threw her 3kg shotput 11.89m and discus (1kg) 32.56m to set new records in each event.

A total of 22 new records were set on Friday.

President of Athletics Cook Islands, Simone Fe’ao said some of the reason for the records being set was due to consistent training leading up to the event in the youth development squad.

“They’ve already had the experience of Oceania competition in June, so that has definitely helped with a longer lead in to the event,” Fe’ao said.

She also said the upcoming Cook Islands Games would have got more people in the mode of athletics.

“People are not just trying to start the engine, they’re already in motion,” she said.

For stand out junior athletes, Fe’ao said she would like to see them continue in the sport.

“Those would match New Zealand Secondary School achievements, so there’s a good chance for these athletes to be competitive, to not just turn up to the New Zealand Secondary Schools but to be competitive in that event.

“We have had a few years of a bit of a lull in terms of competitive athletes, you’ve got the Alex Beddoes and Patricia Taea but we haven’t really had much coming through until now which can really carry Cook Islands through into international representation.”

The BCI National Youth Championships had over 125 athletes competing including 12 Pa Enua athletes and 40 volunteer officials.

Over 64 events were run on the day.

Fe’ao thanked all the participants.

“It’s great to see new talent coming through and people giving new events a go.

“We welcome newcomers to join our youth athletes who train on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3:30pm at the stadium under the guidance of our national coaches.”

Fe’ao also said it was great to have the ongoing support of Bank of the Cook Islands (BCI) as the naming sponsor which provided personnel, prizes and covered the running costs. She also thanked Air Rarotonga as a supporting sponsor to enable the Pa Enua athletes to compete as well as the volunteers, CIIC and CISNOC.