The Cook Islands have claimed their first ever medal at a Commonwealth Games after defeating Malta 17-11 in the bronze medal match of the Men’s Pairs in Lawn Bowls.
The historic moment has a special link to Griffith University, a connection which may pave the way to further sporting triumphs for Oceania athletes in the future.
Taiki Paniani, one half of the winning team, has been part of an innovative program developed and rolled out by Griffith University to give athletes from Pacific Commonwealth nations and territories access to sports experts and facilities not readily available in their home land.
Taiki participated in the GAPS (Gather Adjust Prepare Sustain) Program on three occasions in the build up to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Most recently the 21-year-old was among a group of able-bodied and para-athletes athletes from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga and Niue to participate in