Massey athletes shine in Paris

After two weeks of intense global competition demonstrating extraordinary athleticism, Aotearoa New Zealand emerged with a total of 20 medals, including a record-breaking 10 golds – the highest our nation has ever won in a single campaign.

Dame Lisa Carrington, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki and Ngāti Porou, who has studied both a Bachelor of Arts (Māori Studies and Politics) and a Graduate Diploma in Arts (Psychology) at Massey, played a crucial role in the country’s success. By adding three gold medals to her tally, she now holds a total of eight gold medals across four Games, making her New Zealand’s most decorated athlete.

Her first win was in the K4 500m canoe sprint, where her crew, including Bachelor of Arts (Education Psychology) student Olivia Brett, had extra motivation after finishing fourth in Tokyo. A thrilling race against Germany earned New Zealand its fourth gold medal of the campaign and set Dame Lisa up for her win in the women’s canoe sprint K2 500m final, followed by her final victory in the K1 500m cementing her as the nation’s greatest athlete.

New Zealand’s first gold in Paris came from the Black Ferns Sevens, featuring Postgraduate Diploma in Business graduate Stacey Waaka, Bachelor of Arts (Māori Studies) graduand Sarah Hirini, Master of Health Science (Sport and Exercise) student Tyla King, Bachelor of Health Science student Jorja Miller, Bachelor of Sport and Exercise student Manaia Nuku and Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) student Jazmin Felix-Hotham. The team secured their second consecutive gold medal, following their dominating performance three years earlier in Tokyo.

Next, rowing double scullers Brooke Francis, Master of Management graduate, and Lucy Spoors, Bachelor of Arts (Linguistics) graduate secured gold. After initially sitting in fourth place, they pushed ahead of Romania and Great Britian to win. Having won silver in Tokyo, the win was particularly exciting as the duo had both only returned to rowing last year after becoming first-time mums.

Bachelor of Sport and Exercise graduate Finn Butcher set the bar high in his debut campaign, winning the third gold medal for New Zealand in the men’s kayak cross final. After missing out on selection for Tokyo, Finn says he experienced a “massive adrenaline dump” upon realising his historic victory, being crowned the first champion in one of the newest sports introduced at the Games.

Bachelor of AgriCommerce alumnus Hamish Kerr elevated the medal tally with a nerve-racking jump-off against America’s Shelby McEwan that for a moment, could have been anyone’s win, until Hamish cleared the 2.34m, marking his victory.

Also making us proud on the athletics field was Bachelor of Arts student Maddi Wesche, who was determined to improve on her sixth-place finish in Tokyo and secured a silver medal with a 19.68m throw.

On the cycling track, Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) graduate Emily Shearman and Bachelor of Science (Psychology) student Nicole Shields were part of the women’s pursuit team that claimed silver after an impressive qualifying round. Despite a strong performance, the gold went to America but the transition from eighth in Tokyo to the podium in Paris is an incredible achievement.

Back on the water, Master of Sustainable Development Goals student Erica Dawson and her sailing partner Micah Wilkinson won bronze in the mixed multi hull, despite less than ideal weather conditions. Master of Management graduate Davina Waddy and Bachelor of Science graduand Kerri Williams made up half the team that secured the bronze in the women’s four.

There were plenty of triumphs and incredible shows of talent outside of medal wins. Competing at her fifth Games, Bachelor of Business graduate Luuka Jones had several near podium moments, finishing fifth in the kayak cross.

Eliza McCartney finished in joint sixth place in the women’s pole vault final, jumping 4.7m. After struggling with injuries in recent years, it was inspiring to see her nearing closer to her best this season.

Bachelor of Arts graduate and Supreme Award recipient of the 2022 Blues Awards Aimee Fisher recorded the second-fastest heat time after Dame Lisa Carrington, finishing fourth in the final K1 500m and fifth in the K2 500m quarterfinal.

Master of Management graduate Tom Mackintosh was looking like a contender for the bronze medal in the men’s single sculls final before placing fifth, while Master of Sustainable Development Goals student Molly Meech placed seventh in the women’s skiff 49er FX.

Erika Fairweather, the Supreme Award recipient for the 2023 Blues Awards and Bachelor of Science student, competed in her third Games. In what was dubbed the ‘race of the century’, she finished fourth in the women’s 400m freestyle final, missing the podium by just 0.26 seconds.

High Performance Coordinator Tamara Scott-Valath, who makes up a vital part of Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University’s Academy of Sport which supports athletes to balance their sport and academic careers, says it’s been an incredible two weeks of top-level performances.

“We’re incredibly proud of the achievements of our Massey whānau on the global stage. Qualifying for such a prestigious event is a significant accomplishment, and seeing so many medals won by our athletes, both past and present, is truly extraordinary. Their hard work and dedication, especially in balancing elite sports with their academic goals, is remarkable. Witnessing their success is wonderful and deeply rewarding for those of us who’ve had the privilege of supporting them. They’re all so deserving of the recognition for their talent and commitment.”