Double Special Olympics World Games medallist Josh Taylor ran away with the major honours – Taumata Hakinakina – at the 2023 Wairarapa Maori Sports Awards announced on Thursday night.
The Masterton athlete won a silver medal in the Level B M03 200m final, bettering his time from the heats by 0.23 seconds, finishing in 27.83 seconds. He later added a bronze medal in the 4x100m relay. The World Games in Berlin attracted more than 6500 competitors from around the world.
Taylor also won several medals in para-athletics and men’s open grades at national and regional levels. As well as the overall award, Taylor won the Tai Pakeke Tane [Senior Men] award.
Taylor’s crowning as Taumata Hakinakina capped a well-organised evening at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Wairarapa, recognising some outstanding achievements for some amazing athletes and volunteers.
The other category winners were:
The Tai Pakeke Wahine [Senior Women] was won by Cushla Abraham, who represented New Zealand in two woolhandling tests against Australia.
Boston Moylan, the winner of Tai Ohi Tane [Secondary Schoolboys], represented New Zealand in MMA and is a WKA International Glory Gold winner, K1 silver medallist, and Muay Thai bronze medal winner.
The Tai Ohi Tane [Secondary Schoolgirls] was taken out by promising cricketer and netballer India Bartlett, who represented Wairarapa in both sports. The 16-year-old was named in the Central Districts’ under-19 cricket squad and is a member of the successful St Matthew’s 1st XI.
Tai Tamariki Wahine [Primary and Intermediate Schoolgirl] was won by Kiwa Williams. The 12-year-old was a member of the Wairarapa-Bush under-16 girls’ team and was named most promising player. She was also part of the Wellington cross-country team that was third in the national inter-regional championships and won several medals at regional swimming meetings.
Featherston wrestler Wairangi Sargent won Tai Tamariki Tane [Primary and Intermediate Schoolboy] for his achievements at regional and national level. Sargent is the current national champion for his age and weight,
Kaiarahi [Coach of the Year] went to Paddy Rimene-Albrett for success in coaching Waka Ama at local, national, and international levels.
Te Roopu Hakinakina O Te Tau [Team of the Year] went to the Maungaraki Junior and Youth Darts Association for success at their national tournament. Three tamariki made the national tournament team, winning gold and silver. Coach Chris Casha was also named tournament team coach and his team won gold as well.
Athletics coach, official, and organiser Mark Harris was presented Tino Tautoko [Volunteer of the Year] for his efforts as a photo judge in major athletics meetings at national and regional levels.
The Jeff Workman Memorial Award for People’s Choice was won by promising motocross racer Braxton Prentice, a finalist in Tai Tamariki Tane.
