News & Updates

The former New Zealand World U20 representative and 10.49 100m sprinter, is the first athlete to try our brand new series to Athletics in Action, entitled ‘Twenty Questions’.

Why did you start athletics?
I started athletics quite young as I had always been relatively quick on the football field, so it was suggested that I try my hand at athletics. So at the next available club night at North Harbour Bays I joined in. I think it took me a couple of weeks to fully get involved because I was quite shy and unsure of myself. But once I settled into the social aspect of the sport at a young age, I loved it!

What was the last piece of athletics advice you received?
From my coach Elena Brown: “You are running good times, just run faster”.

What has been your career highlight?
Definitely representing New Zealand at the 2016 World U20 Championships in the 200m and 4x100m relay.

What has been your athletics low?
Having to pull out of 2017 Nationals because of a groin strain, whilst being in really good form.

Where do you see your athletics career ten years from now?
Well, I will be 32 then. So hopefully still in love with sport and competing to the best of my ability. Also coaching young athletes to reach their potential. A future goal is to give back to the sport.

What is your greatest mistake in athletics?
I wouldn’t say I have made a ‘mistake’ as such, in athletics yet (fingers crossed). But one to consider is possibly not listening to my body enough and not recovering properly from sessions or injuries. As that can have a detrimental effect on the sessions later in the week or even during competition.

Which athlete is the most interesting to follow on social media?
He doesn’t do athletics, but Fabio Wibmer. He is a street biker that does some pretty crazy scary stuff.

Do you have a favourite athletics social media post?
Usain Bolt’s post about always pushing yourself to the limit. No matter how tired you are, completing the set is where we see improvement. Whenever I am dying and dreading the next 200m rep I always think back to that post, and it helps motivate and push me to finish.

If you could change one thing about the sport, what would it be and why?
This doesn’t just apply to athletics but is very current right now and is damaging the reputation of athletics around the world – prevalence of drugs. I think if an athlete is caught with a deliberately administered banned substance in their system, they should be banned for life and not given a second/third chance. Of course there are exceptions that can complicate the process, but this would (hopefully) be a step in the right direction for our sport.

Which athlete do you most admire from your event?
Noah Lyles (the world 200m champion). The dude is so young and has achieved so much already.

Outside of athletics what is your greatest accomplishment this year?
In 2019, I completed my Bachelor in Science degree. I’m hoping to further my study in the next few years.

What was your most embarrassing moment in high school?
Not thinking before I spoke, and yelling “mum” to my science teacher in front of the whole class, I’m sure most people have done that at some point (though not the yelling part!).

If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
Definitely a stick insect, no doubt about it. It doesn’t help that I look like one too.

Do you have a nickname?
Most of my mates call me Hamdog. Although I have a couple that are not appropriate for sharing.

If you could have a superpower what would it be and why?
Super strength, to go along with my stick insect spirit animal.

What is the funniest joke you know?
“What do you call a guy with no shins?,” “Tony”.

Where do you see yourself when you are 50?
Having travelled most of the world with my family and enjoying being a little more lazy than I already am.

What is the most ridiculous fact you know?
The pressure in the deepest part of the ocean is over 8 tons per square inch, which is equivalent to having 50 jumbo jets piled on top of you.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be and why?
That we stop polluting our oceans. With more than 80% of our ocean yet explored we may be doing harm to species we have not even discovered yet, let alone species that we already know are being harmed due to our pollution.

If you could host a talk show, what three guests would you invite and why?
Johnny Depp – he is such an interesting character and has been in so many movies that I like.
Ricky Gervais – one of the most controversial people in the film/tv/stand-up industry, but also wildly successful. He would provide some 10/10 entertainment.
Noah Lyles – (have to have an athlete), possibly one the future faces of sprinting in the world and possibly athletics. I’d like to speak to him about his future and how he handles the pressure so well.