The Cook Islands team will arrive in Darwin with confidence, building on strong performances across the Polynesian Championships and the New Zealand domestic circuit as they prepare for the 2026 Oceania Athletics Championships.
The selected team featuring experienced representatives alongside emerging stars has been selected. The team will compete across Senior, Under 20 and Under 18 divisions from May 18–23.
World Athletics Championships representative Estelle Short leads the sprint group after a series of personal best performances in the 100m and 60m. She heads into Darwin closing in on the Cook Islands sprint records and carrying strong form into the championships.
Fellow sprinter Daniel Tolosa, the national record holder over 60m, will also line up in the sprints and is continuing to edge closer to the national marks outdoors.
In the combined events, Max Teuruaa has been one of the standout performers of 2026. He has already broken seven national records this season and delivered the top two decathlon performances in Cook Islands history. In Darwin, he will focus on the 100m, 400m and 110m hurdles as he manages his program around the demands of the decathlon.
In the field events, Piritau Nga is expected to bring energy to the long jump runway, chasing a leap beyond the 7 metre mark. High jumper Samasoni Hewitt, the national record holder, will take on a strong field with his sights set on clearing two metres and pushing his record higher.
Elijah Poila returns to international competition in the shot put and discus, adding experience to the senior squad.
The Under 20 group features a strong throws contingent, with Emma Papali’i and Ana Ellison-Lupena set to go head-to-head in both shot put and discus. Ana currently holds the leading mark in the discus, while Emma leads in the shot put following her personal best at the Polynesian Games in Auckland. Zarrian Heather-Rau and Retire Daniel round out the Under 20 field event team.
At Under 18 level, Leyon Caffery and Ver Toaolamai-Holden will make their international debuts. Both have developed their athletics in New Zealand and will represent the Cook Islands for the first time in Darwin.
For Short, the opportunity to represent the Cook Islands remains at the centre of it all.
“Representing the Cook Islands at the Oceania Championships means everything to me,” she said.
“For any athlete, wearing your country’s name is something special. It’s always a privilege to represent my home, my people and my country.
“I’m especially excited for this championship. We’ve got a strong group competing and it’s great to see the younger athletes stepping up, for some it’s their first time at this level.”
With a blend of experience and youth, the Cook Islands team shapes as one to watch as they take to the Oceania stage in Darwin.
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