10 Questions: Lucky underwear crucial to succeed

Chanel Kavanagh.

This week's newsmaker is Tauranga judo champ Chanel Kavanagh. The 19-year-old won a gold medal at the recent Oceania Judo Union Championship in Auckland and is hopeful of a spot representing New Zealand at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

1 Describe yourself in three words:

Caring, sporty, nice.

2 You would have gone through different coloured belts in judo - which colour was the hardest to obtain and why?

Definitely the brown belt. I had to go through a six-hour grading, getting the black belt took just five minutes.
3 Do you have a routine or superstitious tradition you do before each match?

I wear lucky underwear, I try and wear the same bra and underpants for every competition.

4 How does judo impact on your personal life?

It has given me so much confidence. I am more confident now than I ever have been.

5 What is your favourite place in the world you have been to, and where would you most like to still go?

I loved the Gold Coast, it has to be my favourite place so far. As for the future I would love to check out Hollywood.

6 If you became a famous sportswoman what product would you promote?

I would probably invent my own natural sports supplements or energy drink and promote that.

7 What kind of training is involved in getting to where you are now with judo?

I train two hours a day, six days a week. It is like having a part-time job on top of my studies. But it is worth every minute.

8 When travelling around for your sport, what is the one possession you could not do without?

My lucky underwear and my teddy bear, I always take my teddy with me.

9 At 7pm on any given weeknight, what will you be watching on TV?

The Bachelor or Home and Away.

10 What is your favourite holiday season and why?

It would have to be Christmas. I love spending time with my family, they are awesome.