Cook Islands Go From Strength to Strength – Pacific Mini Games – 1st July 2025
The Cook Islands built on a successful first day of the Championships, where no fewer than 7 new PBs were set, with solid performances on day two in front of a jubilant travelling support of teammates and coaches. Encouraged on by the beating drum brought poolside, Jacob Story and Mia Laban rose to the occasion continuing their medal-filled start with 3 more accolades between them. Jacob Story was one to watch out for according to his coach Horst Miehe,
‘Jacob would be the one that we’ve got the highest hopes for’ he said in the lead up to the Meet.
The 18 year old showed no signs of feeling the pressure from that recognition. He is an experienced swimmer despite his young age with previous World Swimming Championships already under his belt including Budapest last December. His performance in the gruelling Mens’ 400m Individual Medley was testament to that experience. He led for the entire race until the final turn where he was pipped in the final 20 metres to take silver despite giving it everything with a time of 4:27.01. His 4th medal of the Championships so far came in the 50m Breaststroke with a 29.09 to claim bronze.
Alicia Story nearly followed in the 400m Freestyle qualifying for the evening’s finals 3rd fastest. In the final the 16 year old swam well to finish 5th.
Mia Laban added a bronze to her tally in the 100m Butterfly finishing in 1:03.51. Not only was she delighted with her time, but also attests to the support from friends and family back home and poolside as the reasons for her success.
“Really happy. I swam three seconds quicker from this morning’s heats which is pretty surprising, so I’m really happy with that. Today my country brought the drums… thank you for being there for me, especially my mum. I wouldn’t be here without her because she did all the fundraising for me.”
Soon it will be time to look beyond the Mini Games in Palau, with the exciting prospect of being entrusted as the next hosts of the Mini Games in 2029, the Cook Islands will be encouraged by their plethora of exciting talent and will be confident they can put on a show in their new pool on home soil.
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Words & interviews: The Reporters’ Academy. Photos: Ryota Nishida