Kortez Paku working out at Masterton’s Sassfit gym. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
CROSSFIT
CHRIS COGDALE
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Masterton’s Kortez Paku is officially one of the fittest teenagers in New Zealand.
The 16-year-old Wairarapa College student finished sixth in the men’s 16-17 age group at the New Zealand crossfit national championships held in Cambridge this month.
Competitors entered the two days of competition, involving eight events, with little idea of what they would be required to do.
Paku’s coach Rima Marurai said: “The Crossfit prescription is constantly varied functional movements performed at high intensity.”
“He’s got to be ready for the unknown, and anything that comes in front of him, like picking up heavy weights, or moving fast.
“He needs to be able to swim, and he needs to have a high cardio threshold.”
Marurai said one of the events involved picking up heavy [medicine type] balls and throwing them up to marker 10 feet [3.04m] high on a wall.
Paku took up Crossfit as a 14-year-old. The nationals were just his second individual competition and first national event.
He finished on 43 points, only nine points away from a podium finish, and the Year 12 student said the effort took its toll.
“I was real sore and tired, and I needed a couple of days of recovery, but I was happy with my performance,” he said.
Paku is also a promising rugby and softball player. He was a key member of the Waicol First XV this season, has played Intercity softball for Giants, and represented Hutt Valley at age-group level.
However, Paku said he intends to have a break from those sports to focus on crossfit and another crack at the national championships.
“My coach is going to come up with a six-month programme for me.
“I’m in the same age division and I’m just going to train hard for the nationals and try and get on the podium.”
