The versatile Athletics Whangarei thrower secured three U18 medals at the 2018 New Zealand Track & Field Championships with gold in the hammer and shot and bronze in the discus. Here we find out more about the 16-year-old Northlander, who looks set for a bright future in the sport.
What is your best athletics quality?
It would probably be the fact I can turn my hand to three throwing events.
Why would you encourage anyone to try athletics?
I would encourage anyone to try athletics because it’s a lot of fun, you get to meet new people and you also get to see so much of the country travelling to competitions.
Who was your first coach and how did they influence your career?
My first coach was my dad, Sa. He always pushes me to do better and encourages me to never give up.
What are your athletics weaknesses?
I sometimes get nervous and that can affect the way I throw. Also, I’m not a big fan of a hard-blowing wind. I find it really distracting and that’s something I need to work on.
What is the funniest things you’ve seen on an athletics track?
Whenever a competition hosts a parents relay. They are always fun to watch!
What is your favourite athletics session?
Throwing practice is easily my favourite session because I enjoy the challenge of improving my technique.
What is the greatest thing you’ve witnessed in an athletics stadium?
I’ve seen many great things, but one of the most recent was watching Tom Walsh and Jacko Gill compete at the Potts Classic in Hastings.
Who has been your toughest rival?
Zion Trigger-Faitele from Wellington has always been my toughest age-group rival. We’ve had a healthy rivalry for the past few years.
If you could star in another sport which sport would it be?
That’s easy, rugby. I have played rugby since I was four and I really enjoy the physicality of the sport. I’m hoping to play first XV for Whangarei Boys High School this year, and I played in the Northland rep team last year as well as for Kamo Rugby Club for the last half of the 2018 season.
When travelling to a meeting what is the most important item in your suitcase?
My throwing shoes, headphones and tape.
What is your greatest regret?
Not training hard enough during my years competing at Colgate Games. It would have been good to have taken training a bit more seriously back then, so I could have given myself more of a chance to break the competition records.
Who is the person who most admire?
Hmm, this is a hard one because there is not one specific person I admire. Let’s go with my parents.
What are you most scared of?
Have a discus ricochet off the cage and then strike me!
What is your favourite movie and why?
Spiderman. I watched this probably 100 times when I was little and mum had to replace the VHS tape.
When was the last time you looked at your athletics medals?
Because mum and dad have them hanging on the wall, I look at them every day.