Cook Islands Boxing Federation is urging boxers who won medals at the 2022 Cook Islands Games to set goals and represent the nation at upcoming regional and international events.

The boxing event which started on Monday at the National Auditorium concluded with gold medal playoffs on Wednesday night.

Medals were presented in junior women’s middleweight, open women’s middleweight, open men’s middleweight, open men’s heavyweight, open women’s superheavyweight and open men’s superheavyweight divisions.

Federation president Elizabeth Ama-Shuster was pleased with the competition level and encouraged medal winners to keep striving for success at regional and international levels.

“We are encouraging people with medals to use this (games) as a stepping stone, we are looking for potential national reps and planning to create a training camp. We encourage these boxers to continue with this journey, especially with Pacific Games coming up in November next year.”

Ama-Shuster said it was very encouraging to see the potential out there, adding they are

willing to support boxers in their bid to compete in top level competitions.

She thanked the island teams, participating boxers, and the spectators for their support during the event.

“We give thanks and praise to our Heavenly Father for his protection over our three amazing nights of boxing.

“Congratulations to all our teams that participated in the event and a big meitaki maata to all our boxers who took up the challenge and stepped in the ring and gave it a go.

“Know that you have done your island proud.”

“Thank you to all the sponsors – BCI Bank, Te Aponga Uira, Vodafone, CISNOC and Ministry of Culture for our venue. Thank you to our boxing committee, referees and officials and our awesome ring announcer Paul Napa (Lynch) and our families who worked endlessly in the background - we appreciate you all.

“Lastly, thank you to our supporters and viewers and millions of Kukis around the world for tuning in and joining us.”

Results

Junior Women’s Middle: Gold – Leah Schuster (Mauke): Open Women’s Middle: Gold – Charlene Akaruru (Pukapuka), Silver – Bianca Herman (Mangaia), Bronze – Zoe Twigg (Mauke); Open Men’s Middle: Gold – Scholar Ngatokorua (Pukapuka), Silver – Jonathan Elisa (Pukapuka), Bronze – Hini Wuatai (Pukapuka); Open Men’s Heavy: Gold – Michael Schuster (Mauke), Silver – Apera Vavasa (Aitutaki); Open Women’s Super: Gold – Akaiti Purea (Mauke), Silver – Rebecca Puni (Atiu); Open Men’s Super: Gold – Teva Hosking-Tinirau (Atiu), Silver – Lindsay Tei (Atiu), Bronze – Mike Schuster (Mauke).