[4] Nauru, with a population of around 10,000, is the world's third-smallest country and does not have a single racetrack, only what Kakiouea called a "dirt oval".

[5][6] He grew up in the country and won a national powerlifting competition, also being one of Nauru's top Australian rules football players, although he told The New York Times his accomplishments were "not so impressive.

[6]Kakiouea was selected to compete in the 100m at the 2023 World Athletics Championships, where he was the sole Nauruan participating and served as the nation's flag bearer.

[2] In March 2024, he competed in the 60 metres at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow; he trained in Australia to prepare for the competition, purchasing his only pair of running shoes, pink Nike cleats, for 240 Australian dollars.

[12] As the only Nauruan at the games, he served as the nation's flag bearer at the opening ceremony, joined by his coach and two team officials.