Kiwis add nine medals to Youth Games tally

New Zealand’s Commonwealth Youth Games athletes added another nine medals to their tally on the fifth day of competition in the Bahamas.

In the pool, the swimmers finished a strong campaign with another five medals, taking their total tally to 19, made up of seven golds, seven silvers and five bronzes. Fielding’s Mya Rasmussen began proceedings with a silver in the women’s 200m medley in 2m 16.55s.

“It’s been an amazing experience, I’m stoked to have won three medals here and it’s been a really great place to learn and take on some of the best in the world,” said Rasmussen.

“When I got my gold medal, I was tearing up, it was amazing. Words can’t explain how great you feel. I’ve got butterflies in my stomach just talking about it, I’m really grateful for this experience.”

Laticia Transom, originally from Taihape, added a bronze, clocking 26.02s in the 50m freestyle. Lewis Clareburt added two individual medals, both silver, with 2m 03.06s in the 200m individual medley and 2m 00.24s in the 200m butterfly.

The Wellingtonian then paired with Auckland’s Finn Kennard- Campbell, Whangarei’s Ciara Smith and Laticia Transom in the mixed 400m relay, with the team finishing in 3m 57.21s for another silver. Clareburt finished with seven medals.

On the track, Katrina Robinson led the charge racing a superb 3000m final. Robinson became boxed in at one point but always stayed near the front of the pack, opening up in the last lap to move from fourth to second and win silver.

“It was really hot and no one wanted to take the lead, so it was a really slow and tactical race until the finish, which was really quick and tough. I tried to stay relaxed as long as possible and kick at the end and it worked really well,” said Robinson who adds the silver to her 1500m bronze. “It means a lot. It’s a great experience — to get two medals is more than I could have asked for.”

In the boxing ring, New Zealand had three semifinal bouts.

Kyle Chen from Paihia fought first against a shorter English opponent in the under-75kg division. Chen had the reach but his opponent controlled the fight. Both landed some big hits but a standing eight count hurt the New Zealander, who lost in a split decision, and so finished with a bronze medal.

Shylah Waikai won a unanimous decision over a Scottish opponent to make the gold medal bout. Auckland’s Pelea Fruean won bronze in her under-60kg semifinal.

The women’s beach volleyballers were unable to hold their own against a fired-up Australian side in the gold medal match. Jasmine Milton from Whangarei and Ella Akkerman from Tauranga left it all on the court but went down 21-13, 21-13 in two sets to take the silver medal.

New Zealand have won eight golds, 13 silvers and eight bronzes.