Firefighter Challenge: Manutūkē volunteer Rob enters Lion’s Den

Gisborne volunteer firefighter Rob Graham not only won his age group at the North Island Firefighter Challenge in Palmerston North, his sub-4-minute time earned him a Lion’s Den medal. Above, Rob completes the hose advance part of the challenge. The event is known as the “toughest two minutes in sport”. Pictures supplied

Manutūkē volunteer Rob Graham joined an elite group at the weekend when he won the over-60 years title at the North Island Firefighter Challenge in Palmerston North.

Staged by United Fire Brigades Association of New Zealand (UFBA), the event is known as the “toughest two minutes in sport”.

It pitted firefighters from across the island against each other — paid or volunteer, urban, rural, industrial and from the Defence Force.

The firefighters were required to complete five essential functions in as quick a time as possible — a high-rise pack carry, hose hoist, forcible entry, hose advance and victim rescue.

Rob not only won the over-60 male category, he also gained a place in the Lion’s Den — a prestigious award presented for finishing the course in under 4 minutes (in the 60yers age group).

His time of 3 minutes 12 seconds made him New Zealand Lion#56  — the first Tairāwhiti firefighter to achieve this status.

Rob, who has been taking part in the challenge for just over three years, was “rapt”.

He became intrigued with the event when he went along to watch the Gizzy Combat challenge event in 2019 , and has been hooked ever since.

“I’m blown away with the win at the weekend, and I’m grinning from ear to ear about it.

“A huge thanks to Robin Sneddon for being my mentor and coach and who presented me with my Lion’s Den medal,” Rob said.

“Also, thanks to my wife Liz for supporting me 100 percent.”