SATURDAY 17 FEBRUARY REVIEW
The Cook Islands Men’s team have made history at the VICTOR Oceania Championships 2024. This is the first time the small island nation has entered a team into the Men’s Team Championship which in itself is a milestone, however winning their first tie makes it extra special.
9am Session
Men’s Team Event
The fourth session of the VICTOR Oceania Team Championships began with the men from New Zealand on task this morning against Fiji, finishing their tie with a 5-0 win. Australia followed suit, winning their five matches with ease against Tahiti in 90 minutes, enabling them to rest up with a bye in the next session, before their top of the table clash on Sunday afternoon against Trans-Tasman rivals, New Zealand.
U17 Invitational Team Challenge
Northern Marianas started day two of the u17 Invitation Team Challenge as they ended day one, with an epic three game match that attracted a vocal crowd court side. Winning the first game 22-20, Northern Marianas could not hold off the attack from the Tahitian mixed doubles pair who hung on in the next two games to win them 21-19 21-19. Tahiti take the tie win 5-0.
The Cook Island women’s singles match went down to the wire after one game all against Fiji. The third and final spectacular brought a wave of excitement to the courts as the two women traded point for point before Lana Aperau-Toa (COK) sealed the game in extension. Cook Islands take the tie win 4-1.
1pm Session
Women’s Team Event
The New Zealand women brought some culture and flare to centre court this afternoon with the first performance of the haka at the VICTOR Oceania Team Championships 2024. Playing against Cook Islands who performed their own unique challenge, the stage was set for an entertaining tie.
Team Australia was resting three of their senior players from this afternoon’s tie against Tahiti. After a busy Individual Championships, singles player, Tiffany Ho and doubles combination, Setyana Mapasa & Angela Yu had the opportunity to rest and recharge before their tie against New Zealand tomorrow morning.
U17 Invitational Team Challenge
It all came down to the final match in the tie between New Caledonia and Guam. Heading in to the final match, the women’s doubles was confidently won by Kristin Deng and Danielle Snear to secure the tie win for Guam 3-2.
The players from the Cook Islands had too much fire power for the Northern Marianas team, only dropping the women’s singles in what was a dominant performance with the final tie score 4-1.
5.00pm Session
Men’s Team Event
Cook Islands had a heavy loss in their first men’s singles, however evened the tie after Chang Ho Kim (FJI) seemed to struggle with injury. Taking strength from that win, Daniel Akavi played a focused match to move the Cook Islands to a 2-1 lead only for Fiji to bounce back. Another tie that came down to the last doubles match, the Cooks took their chances and brought home another match and the tie win. 2024 is the first time the Cook Islands has entered a men’s team into the VICTOR Oceania Championships. To get a tie win in their inaugural event has to be commended.
New Zealand men were playing the flamboyant Tahitian team who have constant support from their women’s and u17 team. Although the rallies were sometimes competitive, New Zealand came away with a 5-0 win. New Zealand will meet Australia in the final on Sunday at 1.00pm.
U17 Invitational Team Challenge
It was one way traffic for Tahiti and New Caledonia in the final session of the day. Tahiti made it a clean sweep against Guam winning each match in two games. Their French speaking cousins New Caledonia were also on a path for a five match tie win, however Fiji made sure they left their mark, convincingly winning the final match.
Streaming links Sunday 18 February – FINALS DAY: 9am and 1pm
VICTOR Oceania Men’s & Women’s Team Championships Draws & Results
U17 Invitational Team Challenge Draws & Results
