International success at 18

The little girl from Hawera who got into athletics because she was fast has come home from an international competition with a gold and silver medal.

Ashleigh Bennett, 18, went away to the Oceania Athletics Area Championships in Fiji recently after being selected to be part of New Zealand’s team of 50.

She was the only athlete from Taranaki.

Bennett came first in triple jump and second in long jump in her under-20 age group despite the odds not being in her favour.

‘‘It was a different experience, just because of all the obstacles we had to face,’’ she said. ’’I got food poisoning over there.’’

The competition was held at the ANZ Stadium in Suva from June 29-July 1 and included athletes from Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and more.

Bennett said she had to put herself forward for selection.

Bennett, who is currently ranked second in New Zealand in both long jump and triple jump in her age group, attended the same event two years ago.

‘‘I came second in long jump and second in both [running] relays as well,’’ she said. ‘‘I’ve always been into it since I was a little kid.’’

She now has a month off before she gets back into training to try qualifying for the IAAF World U20 Championships in 2018.

‘‘You have to jump quite far. It’s a big ask, but you have to try.’’