The Sun
sport
Friday December 28, 2018
19
sports talk With Jacob Page
Sports year of unfamiliars make their mark The sporting year has been another stellar one for this tiny country but not in sports most would consider mainstream. Yes, the All Blacks have had another dominant year, the Black Caps have had test series wins over England at home and Pakistan away but lesser sports have had their chance to bask in their success. In no particular order here are some sporting moments which stood out for me. Two bronze medals at the Winter Olympics was a phenomenal achievement for a country that had only won a lone silver medal at the event in 1992 thanks to skier Annelise Coberger. A pair of 16-year-olds achieved in disciplines most people, including myself, didn’t know much about. Zoi Sadowski-Synnott and Nico Porteou, both from Wanaka, won their medals in the big air and freestyle half pipe respectively and at the same time allowed New Zealanders a precious memory. The women’s black sticks hockey team winning Commonwealth Games golf was a tremendous performance. For the past decade, the side had threatened to deliver a major international title but came unstuck when the pressure was at its most intense.
Zoi Sadowski-Synnott and Nico Porteou, both from Wanaka,
They have struggled at penalty shootouts but won their semifinal against England by winning the sudden death format before smashing Australia in front of their home crowd on the Gold Coast to claim the gold medal. New Zealand’s under-17 women’s footballers’ bronze medal at last month’s World Cup was a typically gritty Kiwi achievement. Just making the quarter-finals was a milestone but when they beat Japan in a penalty shootout
to make the semifinal, the country took notice. While outclassed 2-0 by Spain in the next game, they bounced back to dominate Canada and claim a 2-0 win and a medal to remember their efforts for years to come. Jonelle and Tim Price dominated the two biggest events on the equestrian calendar. Jonelle won the Badminton horse trials just six months after giving birth to the couple’s first child. Not to be outdone, Tim claimed
the Burleigh Horse Trials, making them an under the radar power couple of New Zealand sport. Sam Gaze claimed BMX gold at the Commonwealth Games from fellow Kiwi Anton Cooper. The one-two should have been a crowing moment for them and Kiwi sports fans but Gaze voiced his displeasure at Cooper for trying to gain a winning advantage after he had bike issues. How dare he during a race for a gold medal. Gaze was seen giving Cooper a verbal spray and was photographed giving the fingers in his direction in what was a shameful lack of sportsmanship that he hopefully regrets with the passing of time. Shot putter Tom Walsh continued his ascent towards being the best in the world winning a Commonwealth Games gold medal despite a flat performance. He progressed as his season went on claiming several international titles and claiming personal best distances along the way. Walsh managed the ninth best throw of all-time, and the best for 15 years, with a monster 22.67m heave at Waitakere Stadium. The women’s sevens team has become the best in the world over the past 12 months. Their flair on attack and ferocious
defence has seen them push past the chasing pack and the previous measuring stick, Australia. The Crusaders were such dominant winners of the Super Rugby competition that my social media post after week two proclaiming they should just cancel the season, spare the injuries and let Scott Robertson’s team keep the trophy looked like an inspired piece of fortune telling. Wonder-mare, Winx extended her unbeaten run to 29 consecutive stakes races, including a world record 22 group ones. Her record is so amazing it seems those within racing are now having her line up against smaller, less quality fields because nobody wants the good times to end. The Black Caps deserve a lot of credit for their test series win over Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, earlier this month. Captain Kane Williamson soared to No 2 in the world batting rankings as the Kiwis won their first away series against Pakistan since 1969. The Wellington Phoenix are still largely unwatchable and the Warriors, well 2019 won’t be any different to any of their other 23 seasons.
Hopai sports day a tradition By Celeste Alexander Looking for some summer fun with the whole family? The much anticipated Hopai Sports is back again for 2019 with the annual family sports and picnic day being held on Saturday, January 5. This event has been enjoyed by locals since 1920 and is very much a tradition for many. The day promises plenty of fun for all ages so if you don’t have it marked on the calendar, add it to your summer plans now. The two big events on the day are the hotly contested Hopai He Man race, which is open to women, men and teams, comprising of a swim and long
hill run and the tug-of-war. Teams return each year to defend their titles from the previous years. In the children’s races there are the Tug’O’War and field events, three-legged race, egg and spoon, sack races and running races. Grandmother and grandfather races never lack for entries, neither do the married women and men’s races. For something hard hitting, the wood chopping event is always a highlight and features local and world class axe men. Organisers encourage people to take along a picnic lunch, their swim suits, deck chairs,
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sunshade, sunscreen lotion and enjoy what the day has to offer. The Hopai committee runs a small shop for the essential sweets, cold drinks and icecream as well as stalls, a sausage sizzle and raffles on the day. There is no bar facility so BYO. Take along cash as there is NO Eftpos. Admission is $5 per person and children 12 and under are free. Access is by road via Kenepuru Road and Crail Bay or by boat. For boat access contact Pelorus Sound Water Taxi or the Pelorus Mail Boat. Itinerary: 1 0 . 4 5 a m - C h i l d r e n ’s Tug’O’Ware and field events
begin. 11.45am - Hopai He Man swim and hill run. 12.30pm - Adult field and novelty events. Chopping events will be throughout the day. Boat Races commence when the tides are suitable. 4pm - Prizegiving. Evening barbecue - Bring your own food and beverages 11.45am - Hopai He Man swim and hill run. 12.30pm - Adult field and novelty events. Chopping events will be throughout the day. Boat Races commence when the tides are suitable. 4pm - Prizegiving. Evening barbecue - Bring your Blenheim man Geoffrey Hocquard pictured taking part in the wood chopping events at own food and beverages last year's Hopai Sports. Lamirana Photography.
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