Peter was first introduced to boxing by his brother Tom who took him along to meet boxing coach, Pupuke Robati. "I lost my first fight to Iaveta Short. We were about 11 or 12 at the time".

But from then on he embarked on what was to become a very successful career in boxing. It has been said that he was one of the best boxers the Cook Islands has ever had.

Peter remembers his first South Pacific Games in 1963. There were 25 members in the Cook Islands team and six of them were boxers. They were Ti George Robati, Piri Puruto, Fenuku Tere, Peter, Here Utokom and Toru George. The team ended up with two gold medals won by Peter and Toru George, and two silver medals won by Piri Purotu and Ti George Robati. The fifth medal of the Cook Islands' haul was won by the marathon runner, Kau Pupa.

Peter clearly remembers the words of the First Chef de Mission - Papa Raitia Tepuretu, a high chief from Tupapa, before they returned to the Cook Islands. His speech was translated for English speaking Peter by Percy Henderson who was the second CDM. Tepuretu told his team, "There will be many more medals to come, but we will always treasure the first".

For those who have won their first medals at this Pacific Mini Games, they too can use those words to inspire them for their many more medals to come.

MH