Pacific Mini Games blue ribbon champion Niko Verekauta and Makelesi Bulikiobo are expected to continue their dominance in the track events in day 3 of competition in the Cook Islands.

After both of them won their respective 100 meter finals yesterday they will now set their focus to the 400 meter finals this afternoon where they are the clear favourites.

Verekauta is again favourite for the 400 meter after recording the fastest time of 49.81 seconds in his heat.

He will be in the semifinal together with Osea Dasalusalu and Eroni Cagi.

Dasalusalu stopped the watch at 50.31 seconds while Cagi clocked a time of 51.25 seconds.

In the girl’s event Bulikiobo, Paulini Korowaqa and Maketalina Lokolokobuka are all into the semifinal.

A total of 17 gold medals are at stake in day 3 of competition in the Mini Games.

9 gold medals will come from athletics, 2 from tennis and 6 gold medals from outrigger canoeing.

Team Fiji has a lot of chances to grab most of the gold in athletics as they will take part in the 20km walk, javelin throw, 1500 meter, 10,000 meter, long jump and later in the afternoon in the finals of the 400 meter in both the women and men’s division.

The walking doctor Pradip Singh will lead Fiji charge in the 20km walk where he has dominated the event in the past games.

Former Marist Brothers High School student Lesley Copeland is in top shape and he is our best bet in javelin.

Varasiko Tomeru after winning gold medal in the 800 meter will be eyeing his second gold in the 1500 meter.

The last event for athletics is at 4.50pm this afternoon in the finals of the 400 meter in both the women and men’s division.

Now looking at the medal tally so far, Fiji is in first place, with 5 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze.

Solomons is in second with 3 gold while Tonga with 2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze is in third place.

Fiji's medals were won yesterday in the Men’s 100 meters finals by Niko Verekauta and Banuve Tabakaucoro who took out gold and silver.

In the men’s 800 meters Varasiko Toge won the gold and Kolinio Qarau getting the gold in the men’s Octathlon event.

In the women’s 100 meters final Makelesi Bulikiobo won the gold with Kavita Maharaj winning the gold in the 800 meters final and Salote Naiula settling for the bronze medal.