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Nine youth and three junior dart players from Gisborne went above and beyond expectations in the New Zealand Darts Council Junior/Youth Dart Championships in Porirua last weekend.
They brought home 22 medals.
Highlights included the gold medals for junior boys’ pair Te Kotahi (TK) Kaio and Hunter Eyles, and the youth mixed pair of Lorenzo Kaa and Denise Renata.
Nine of the Gisborne contingent were named in the tournament teams.
They were Denise Renata (who was named captain of her team), Lorenzo Kaa, Errol Tamihana, Hayden Kiri, Nikila Irwin, Destiny Barbarich, Te Kotahi (TK) Kaio, Hunter Eyles and Ihaka Kaio-Wynyard.
Of those, TK, Hunter, Ihaka, Destiny and Nikila joined Shaolyn Edwards and Tamati Mauheni as new members of the Gisborne squad.
Denise, Errol, Hayden and Lorenzo were returning youth team members, along with Cody Kiri.
An estimated 120 youngsters from throughout New Zealand attended the championships, which were hosted by Kapi Mana Darts Association.
Day 1 started with junior pairs and youth singles. The pairing of TK Kaio and Hunter Eyles, both 10, had convincing wins all the way to the final, where they beat their Hutt Valley opponents 2-1 for Gisborne’s first gold medal of the championships.
Ihaka Kaio-Wynyard played in the consolation round with a youngster from Invercargill as they both had no partner from their region. They took second place in this part of the competition.
In the youth boys’ singles, Hayden Kiri, Errol Tamihana, Lorenzo Kaa and Cody Kiri all qualified for the main round. Lorenzo and Cody made the top 16 and Hayden placed in the top eight. Errol showed grit and determination to reach the final, where he lost 3-0, earning silver for his efforts.
Errol has steadily improved from his first year in 2016 and is set to make waves for years to come.
Denise Renata, the 2016 youth girls’ champion reached the semifinals, where she lost to the eventual winner.
Nikila Irwin put in a solid performance to reach the top eight.
Day 2 was set for junior singles and youth pairs.
TK Kaio, Ihaka Kaio-Wynyard and Hunter Eyles all qualified for the main round. Ihaka threw well to make the top eight, while Hunter and TK made the top 16.
In the youth girls’ pairs, Denise Renata (who won the youth girls’ pairs with her sister Monique last year) teamed up with newcomer Destiny Barbarich. After some great games and a few close calls, they lost the final, 3-2, to a determined Hutt Valley pair.
In the boys’ section, Lorenzo Kaa and Errol Tamihana, and brothers Hayden and Cody Kiri qualified for the main round. Lorenzo and Errol reached the final, where Taranaki took the deciding leg. Play was of a high standard throughout.
Mixed pairs for both junior and youth divisions were held on the final day of play.
As Gisborne’s junior boys had no female counterparts for the main section, they played in the consolation round with a junior female from another region.
Hunter Eyles and his partner from Hutt Valley defeated Ihaka Kaio-Wynyard and his partner from Invercargill.
The youth pairs of Lorenzo Kaa and Denise Renata, Errol Tamihana and Nikila Irwin, and Hayden Kiri and Destiny Barbarich all qualified in the main-round event after section play.
Hayden and Destiny made the top eight, losing to Errol and Nikila, who lost in the semifinals.
Lorenzo and Denise reached the final, against an Auckland duo.
Gisborne had what looked like a comfortable 2-0 lead but Auckland fought back to be all square at 2-2.
Lorenzo and Denise then turned on the fireworks and won the last leg decisively for another gold.
Tournament teams for each age group and gender were then chosen
The Gisborne players chosen were Denise (named captain in her team), Lorenzo, Errol, Hayden, Nikila, Destiny, TK, Hunter and Ihaka.
This was the last year at this event for Lorenzo, Hayden and Denise, who turn 18 in the next 12 months. They face a tougher road ahead, outside the youth ranks, and will have the best wishes of the darts community.
Overall, Gisborne came home with 22 medals — an outstanding performance showing the rest of New Zealand the potential and calibre of Gisborne’s young darts players.
These results would not be possible without the input of coaches, managers, parents and supporters.
Those interested in trying darts for themselves or their children can find out more by contacting Region 7 (Gisborne) secretary Cris Kiri (cell 027 5248 021).