The 2023 Cook Islands Beach Games entered week two competitions with beach handball taking centre stage yesterday.

Beach netball, beach touch, AirBadminton and beach volleyball competitions wrapped up in the opening week with beach handball, 3x3 basketball and beach football to be held this week.

The beach volleyball competition concluded on Saturday at the Nikao beach courts. The final results were unavailable when this edition went to print last night.

However Bounty Spikers played A1 Meitaki in the men’s final and in the women’s showdown, Bounty Spikers took on Liverpool Blockers.

In the third-place playoff, AKTT Black battled Tumeke in men’s and Brew Crew faced Tumeke in women’s division.

Meanwhile in the AirBadminton competition, Young Gunz won gold medal, silver went to Team Peneneke and Lord of the Strings managed bronze medal.

Cook Islands Badminton president Thomas Ngauru said: “It was touch and go with the weather but it ended up being perfect weather for the competition – slightly overcast and just a gentle breeze to keep everyone cool.”

“With eight teams playing a round robin in two pools it was a fast and furious competition with one pool having three teams first equal after pool play. Then after a count back the top two teams went to the finals with the Young Gunz the eventual overall winners. 

“It was awesome to be on the sand at the Nikao Beach courts which added an extra challenge but was loved by all competitors. It is the second year AirBadminton has been included in the Beach Games and Cook Islands Badminton is thankful to CISNOC for including the sport. 

“We look forward to next year’s competition and growing the outdoor version.”

The 3x3 basketball will be held from January 17 to 19 followed by beach football which will kick start on January 19 and run until January 21.