IANUALI Orme, the elite youth and schoolboy boxer known as the “Kiribati King,” was honoured during the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with a traditional Kiribati-woven mat from Ruth Cross Kwansing, the country’s Minister of Women, Youth, Sport and Social Affairs.
Orme said the mat was accompanied by a handwritten letter explaining its history. It had been present in Onotoa (an atoll of Kiribati) during the ordination of a Catholic priest, a significant occasion attended by the President of Kiribati, Taneti Maamau and Kwansing.
“The mat was placed in front of the President’s seat, making it part of a truly special moment in our country’s history,” Orme said.
In Kiribati, traditional woven mats represent “respect, family, culture and tradition,” Orme said. They are used during important ceremonies and celebrations and are handwoven from pandanus leaves using skills passed down through generations.
“From harvesting and drying the leaves to preparing and weaving them by hand, a single mat can take well over 100 hours to complete,” he said.
Orme said the mat’s history made the gift especially meaningful.
“It isn’t just a gift, it’s a piece of Kiribati’s culture, history and heritage that I will treasure for the rest of my life,” he said.
The presentation came as Orme continued to represent Kiribati athleticism on the international stage.
He led a fundraising campaign to provide training equipment for the Kiribati boxing team and welcomed the team to the United Kingdom.
Orme won multiple titles in 2025, including the Alliance Schoolboy Championship, Bristol Box Cup and Manchester Box Cup.
“Some gifts are simply priceless,” Orme said.
Kwansing described Orme’s leadership and representation of Kiribati athleticism as reaching “a whole other level.”
“What an impressive young man!” she said, calling him “a credit to his parents” and “another demonstration of the powerful impact of our young leaders of the Pacific.”
Orme thanked Kwansing for the gift and said it had strengthened his pride in representing Kiribati and sharing the country’s culture with people around the world.
“I’m proud to represent Kiribati, and I’ll keep working hard to make our country proud.”
