Cook Islands team at the 14th Oceania Swimming Championships in Fiji

CompetitionFriday, 15 May 2026by Cook Islands Aquatics Federation

Youngest Team Members Carter and Brendan Makira Deliver in Fiji

At 13, Brendan Makira was the youngest male competitor at the entire 14th Oceania Swimming Championships. He and brother Carter finished the meet with finals appearances, personal bests, and an open water top-eight.

They were the youngest members of Team Cook Islands in Fiji — and two of its busiest. Brothers Carter and Brendan Makira finished the 14th Oceania Swimming Championships with a string of finals appearances, personal bests, and an open water top-eight between them, capping a campaign that saw the Cook Islands team secure eight medals and set new records.

Carter and Brendan Makira under the Cook Islands team tent — Carter and Brendan Makira — the youngest members of the team

At 13 years old, Brendan was the youngest male competitor in the entire championship. Carter, competing in six individual events plus two mixed relays and the 5km open water, was one of the most heavily raced athletes on the team.

Carter Makira

Carter’s week spanned eight pool events and an ocean swim. His results across the championships:

5th — 4x50m Mixed Freestyle Relay
6th — 200m Individual Medley
6th — 200m Backstroke
7th — 4x50m Mixed Medley Relay
8th — Open Water 5km
11th — 100m Backstroke
12th — 100m Breaststroke
13th — 50m Breaststroke
15th — 50m Backstroke

Carter Makira in his Cook Islands cap before the open water race — Focused before the 5km start

On the final day, Carter took on the Men’s 5km Open Water race at Pacific Harbour, placing 8th overall and finishing within ten minutes of the winning swimmer — meaning his time officially counted, an achievement that eluded many competitors who raced for well over an hour.

Carter Makira exits the water after the Open Water 5km race — Carter finishes 8th in the Men’s 5km Open Water

Brendan Makira

For his first international competition, Brendan achieved outstanding results for his age, qualifying for two B finals and one A final. His best placings:

8th — 200m Backstroke
12th — 200m Individual Medley
15th — 100m Backstroke

He also placed 22nd in the 50m Backstroke and 28th in the 50m Breaststroke. To place top-8 and top-16 in three events at age 13 was a remarkable achievement.

Brendan also swam in the heats for both mixed relays, helping the Cook Islands team secure places in both finals — no small feat for one of the smallest teams at the championships.

Brendan Makira exchanges caps with an Australian swimmer — Brendan swaps caps with an Australian competitor — friendships made across the Pacific

More Than Medals

Crowds cheering at the night finals session in Suva — Strong crowd support each night of finals

The atmosphere throughout the championships was incredible, with strong crowd support and cheering each night of finals.

All teams lined up at the opening ceremony — The opening ceremony — more than 160 swimmers from across Oceania

The experience and exposure gained by both boys — swimming at this level of competition, meeting athletes from other countries, and successfully presenting themselves to the media — was invaluable.

Carter Makira interviewed by media at the pool — Carter presenting to media — part of the invaluable experience gained in Fiji

During the competition, the team was also invited to have lunch with the Cook Islands High Commissioner, a great opportunity to connect with their Cook Islands culture.

Cook Islands mixed relay team interviewed after their final — The mixed relay team speaks to media after their final

Cook Islands team with coach at the 14th Oceania Swimming Championships, Fiji — Team Cook Islands in Fiji