Huta wins gold and silver on return

MEDAL WINNERS: Gisborne Trampoline Club head coach Doug Callahan (at back) took 11 competitors to the Manukau championships and all returned with medals. They are (from left): Charlie Holdsworth, Riker Rolls, Mia Blot-Mouterde, Raine Lamont-Milner, Leah Scholefield, Kaiya Huta, Ariki Campbell, Ngature Tuhuri, Lilly Arnold, Parker Anderson and Oliver Tilghman. Picture by Liam Clayton

Kaiya Huta made a successful return to competitive trampolining, winning gold and silver at the Manukau championships in Auckland.

The 16-year-old student at Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Nga Uri a Maui won gold on double mini and silver on tramp in the junior international class.

“Kaiya has been away from the sport for six months after a head injury,” club coach Doug Callahan said.

“But it was like he had never been away. He had all the confidence that makes him someone who can go a long way in the sport. He was wanting to do bigger skills on double mini, wanting to qualify for the world champs in Russia in November, but we held him back a bit.

“In four weeks he’s got the Gisborne champs where he can qualify for St Petersburg. He’s not far off the qualifying mark for double mini and tramp.”

Callahan said he was rapt with Huta’s peformance on tramp, even though he had to settle for silver.

“While Kaiya’s been absent, a lot of good trampolinists have come through in this division.

“The boy who won is the top on tramp in New Zealand at junior international level.”

Riker Rolls, Ngature Tuhuri, Ariki Campbell and Raine Lamont-Milner were double gold medal winners.

Callahan said Rolls “came of age”, winning gold on tramp and synchro in the 10-years-and-under class.

“It was his first time on the podium and winning gold was the icing on the cake. He teamed with Parker Anderson to come first on synchronised.”

Tuhuri beat his rivals in the 10-years-and-under double mini then stepped up to the 11-12yr division of synchro with Ariki Campbell for gold.

“Ariki added to his gold in this event with gold on tramp (11-12yr). Raine’s golds came in youth international DM and youth international tramp.”

Callahan also praised two newcomers to the competitive side of the sport.

Charlie Holdsworth and his cousin Oliver Tilghman teamed up to win silver, behind Anderson and Rolls, on synchro in the 10-years-and-under division.

“It was a great effort from both of them . . . no nerves, they just did what they have been doing in training and nailed it,” Callahan said.

“We took away 11 competitors and all came home with medals.

“Now they’re looking forward to the local champs, and the national champs in September.

“I must give credit to Natalya Barber, who took charge of the younger competitors, leaving me to concentrate on the older ones.

“Natalya’s got a good rapport with the kids. She’s sitting all her exams and I’ve got no doubt she will develop into a very good coach.”