The opening ceremony kicked the event off. The children were all assembled in the courtyard and the parents had set up tables and tarps around the perimeter to watch. It really is exciting for both the parents and children. We really enjoyed the whole event and are glad our children were able to participate!
The opening ceremony was followed by organized warm up exercises to get the children ready for the competition.
Fairly quickly after the warm ups the events were kicked off. The whole event is like clock work. It is amazingly organized. Actually I was watching an event and then I realized it was Liam running by on the track. I was barely able to get the camera turned on and get this picture. He took 3rd place in his group to give the white team some points. It looked like a 100 yard dash but I am not sure what the actual distance was.
Cheer squads were present from both teams to cheer everyone on. This is a short video of the white team cheer squad.
Colleen's first event was also a race, but hers was more of an obstacle course. During the event the children wore tadpole and fish hats.
First was the hurdle jump over the hoola skirts tied together.
Next was the summer sault followed by the balance beam.
After the balance beam it was time to navigated the strangest obstacle in a race that I have seen......the Junkin (rock paper scissors) playing crabs. You had to win around of rock paper scissors against the crabs before you could proceed to the finish line.
Colleen was able to over take one other student at the Junkin crab to take 4th or 5th place in her group.
Throughout the day there were both competitions and dancing. It was interesting to see the children participating in all types of activities. The school children were really involved in running the event as well, from announcing to event set up, they participated in everything.
Another event was honoring the elders. Actually I don't know at what age you become an elder, but Liam was selected to give one of the older woman flowers.
Before the flowers were given, other children were assigned to give the elders back massages. The respect of elders is just one of the many things that are taught in the schools at a young age.
While walking around to take photos I saw this great Radio Flyer. I don't know if you can buy them this way or if you have to make them. Pretty cool regardless.
At noon there was a break for lunch. All the children went to the parents picnic area. Some of the lunches the parents bring for the children are very elaborate bento boxes. We just stuck to lunch meat sandwiches and snacks.
After lunch the parents were invited to participate in a game to help the children. It was a ball toss into an elevated basket game. There were 4 teams competing at a time, we mustered a 2nd place.
Next up for Colleen was the Disney themed relay race with a giant ball. The music played was the Little Mermaid theme song. In this race the white team cruised to an easy victory. At this point they were still far behind the red team in points. It looked impossible for them to have a chance at victory.
Liam's class followed with a dance routine. Colleen class did a dance routine too but it was on the video camera. Too long to put on here. :)
Slowly the white team clawed back into the competition through the remaining events. Leading into the final event (tug-o-war) the white team was 14 points down to the red. There were three tug-o-war rounds. The way this tug-o-war worked is the younger children started at the rope with older children lining the perimeter of a circle away from the rope. When the gun was fired the younger children started to tug while the older children scrambled to get to the rope quickly and start pulling.
The video below is of Liam and Colleen's class tug. Colleen started on the rope and Liam on the perimeter. White team pulled off the victory in this event. Of the three tug-o-war rounds white team could win 2 of them.
Final score........red=404 white=410..
An amazing come from behind victory. The score was visible all day on the side of the school and all day the white team trailed, except for the final...
The victors were given the winners cup with the team leader accepting it on everyones behalf. I assume to keep until next years competition.
Everything was wrapped up with a closing ceremony. I was able to locate Liam in the crowd and snap a picture as they were standing at attention.
I could also find Colleen in the crowd to take her picture. Looks like she saw me as well.
As a result of the sports day being postponed to Sunday we missed our rice field harvest. If we are around next year we will have to go to that and post up pictures.
That wraps this week. We were all tired from the heat, sun, and exercise.
Have a good week...
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