Te Kanohi Kuka won a bronze medal at the World Jiu-Jitsu Children's Cup in Abu Dhabi. Photo / Andrew Warner
A Year 11 student from Bethlehem's Te Wharekura o Mauao school was the only New Zealander to compete at last week's prestigious World Children's Jiu-Jitsu Cup held in Abu Dhabi.
Te Kanohi Kuka, 15, returned home with a minted bronze medal and was the youngest medallist in the 66.5kg under-17
juvenile blue belt category.
He tied for third with a fighter from Russia behind the winner from Brazil and second-placed fighter from UAE, in the traditional martial art that focused on grappling and especially ground fighting.
Kuka said the experience was on a different level to what he expected. "It was real hot over there and the competition was massive," he said. "The stadium was built especially for jiu-jitsu. It was amazing to compete at, an experience that you have to take in.
"I learnt you have to work just as hard beforehand in preparation. I had to cut back on what I was eating, because I was heavier than what I was supposed to be. This has definitely boosted my confidence a lot and it is just amazing to have a bronze medal.
