Men’s Black Sticks book spot at Tokyo 2020 + weightlifters in action at the nationals

Hockey

The Black Sticks Men have put together a clinical performance to win their series against Korea and qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The New Zealanders beat the visitors 3-2 in the first match of the series in New Plymouth and needed another win or a draw to guarantee their Olympic qualification.

The home side started strong with goals from Sam Lane and Stephen Jenness helping them to a 2-0 lead at halftime.

Despite a huge weight of possession in favour of the Koreans throughout the last quarter of the match, the Vantage Black Sticks were able to hold their nerve and book their place at the Tokyo Olympic Games. 

The side will now take a well-earned break after a long season which started in January with the inaugural FIH Pro League. The team will return to the turf at the start of February for season two of the Pro League, where they will begin their 2020 Olympic year against the reigning world champions Belgium, at the new National Hockey Centre in North Harbour.

Weightlifting

New Zealand’s elite weightlifters have smashed several records at the national championships held at Functional Strength in Auckland.

Youth Olympic athlete Kanah Andrews-Nahu unofficially broke 2 Oceania Junior Records. The 18-year-old snatched 90kgs to break the record, before lifting 95kgs to break the record again.

Cameron McTaggart also broke three unofficial records. The 2018 Commonwealth Games athlete snatched 141kgs and clean and jerked 169kgs for a 310kg total.

Rugby Sevens

Black Ferns Sevens powerhouse Ruby Tui has been named Women's Sevens Player of the Year at the World Rugby Awards.

27-year-old Tui, a powerful runner and tireless worker at the breakdown, started every match and scored 15 tries in their title-winning season.

Tui was up against team-mates Sarah Hirini and Tyla Nathan-Wong for the award.

Rugby

Although not an Olympic sport rugby is New Zealand’s national game and we’re extremely proud of the All Blacks third place finish at the Rugby World Cup.

The team gave their all in Japan and our Olympians will be the next group of athletes to represent New Zealand in the land of the rising sun at Tokyo 2020.