Government awards Duken Tutakitoa-Williams with Special Sports Recognition
Duken Tutakitoa-Williams Niue's first-ever Commonwealth Games medalist | Photo (right) credits: Pacific Media Network
As the first Niuean athlete to go down in history for winning Niue’s first Commonwealth Games medal, Duken Holo Tutakitoa-Williams has much in store for him.
Just last Wednesday during the awarding of the National Honours at the 48th Constitution flag raising ceremony, 23-year-old boxer Duken was also recognised by the government with a Special Sports Recognition.
Seperate from the government’s National Honours Awards, the Special Sports Recognition award was presented by Minister for Sports Hon. Sauni Tongatule.
Minister Tongatule congratulated the young boxer on his success not only for himself, his family and his team but also for Niue.
Born and raised in New Zealand, Duken hails from the village of Liku and had arrived on the island with his coach Lolo Asasio Heimuli and his father Michael Holo on Monday last week.
Duken is also renowned as the first-ever New Zealand cruiser-weight champion who gained the title in April earlier this year.
In June, he was selected by NISCGA as one of the athletes for Team Niue who would be competing at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games under the boxing category in which he successfully won his quarter-finals bout securing Niue’s first-ever Commonwealth Games bronze medal.
An epoch-making event where Duken has placed his mark in the history and sports books of Niue.
In a recent social media post, Duken declared “I’ll be back with a Gold” hinting to his audience the upcoming 2024 Olympics to be held in Paris, France.
The young boxer departed the island and has returned to New Zealand on Monday this week.
