Rio showcases next wave of New Zealand sporting heroes
Amid a flurry of medal activity by New Zealand sailors yesterday, to push the country to its most successful single Games haul, it’s worth a pause to consider the young Olympians who have caught the eye in Rio.
Some of these did win a medal, others didn’t but showed encouraging signs of being ready to throw out a solid challenge in Tokyo in 2020.
Here’s a handful worth keeping an eye on in the next four years... The 19- year- old from Te Anau but based in Auckland, finished seventh, and that followed 15th then ninth placings at the last two world champs. Spot a trend here? That’s a terrific effort. The gold medal performance by Belarusian Uladzislav Hancharou was 61.745, but a more relevant gauge is that the bronze medallist from China posted 60.175. Schmidt has a big future. She won the silver medal on day two which got New Zealand on the board. She’s 28, from Timaru, and got $ 20,000 in Government funding this year. Now she’s cleared her throat on the grandest stage, she needs more support for an unfashionable sport. New Zealand needs to throw support behind more than just the large sporting groups, such as rowing, sailing and cycling. The 19- year- old from the North Shore had her final early today. Just making that grade shows there is huge talent there which must be encouraged.
She had her sights on pushing for Tokyo, until early this year it became apparent her rate of progress meant Rio was in focus. She has an easy laugh and loves what she’s doing. If things go well, look for her to be on the podium in four years. He’s only 24 but Walsh looks the real deal for years to come.
His bronze yesterday was memorable and he looks set to become the leader of New Zealand’s men’s athletic teams for the foreseeable future.
And he’s from Timaru, so between Walsh and Rooney this has been a cracking Olympics for the South Canterbury heartland.
Walsh also has an affability about him, a cheerful personality that can only help his public profile. There are others on the right side of the age equation, notably 21- year- old rival Jacko Gill, who finished a creditable ninth in the shot final yesterday. But right now Walsh is the guy who looks poised for further big strides in the next four years. They both made their finals in Rio, a strong performance considering their youth and the fact they only started two years ago.
The men, the bulk of whom won back- to- back world under 23 titles in 2013 and 2014, were sixth in their final; the women, who won silver at last year’s worlds in their first year together, were fourth, just 1.38s off bronze. They were outstanding results, which offer plenty of optimism for Tokyo. Rowing New Zealand has invested heavily, and with private support, in getting New Zealand back in the eights after heavy focus on small boats in recent years. She’s no newbie, at her third Olympics, but what a return. Silver medal was a terrific result and gave New Zealand a real shot in the arm at least in part because of the unexpectedness. Age ( 27) and experience are now on her side. Canoe slalom received $ 940,000 in the last four years. Time for a boost there. This is written as a bit of a punt. They were in their heats of their first Olympics early today, but should have made the semifinals at least. If they are through to their final early tomorrow final it’s an occasion to savour.
The women — Jaimee Lovett ( aged 28), Caitlin Ryan ( 24), Aimee Fisher ( 21) and Kayla Imrie ( 24) — are in a sense the spinoff from Lisa Carrington’s success. They have made encouraging strides. At least three of them should be around for a serious tilt at Tokyo. Okay there’s a few names which could be plucked out of the sailing group which had an outstanding collective regatta. But let’s opt for these two, in a new Olympic class who finished fourth, won their medal race and gave themselves every chance. Aged 22 and 25 respectively, their financial support will come out of the pot afforded to Yachting New Zealand.
The national body received $ 18.3 million over the last four years. They’ll probably get a bit more in December, when the next round of funding comes out.
Jones and Saunders deserve their slice of the pie, even if they came up just short in New Zealand’s most successful Games regatta. Most of New Zealand’s sailors are in their 20s. This shapes as a bumper four years ahead on the water.