Supreme honour to Wainohu at awards

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

WAKA ama paddler Gaibreill Wainohu has taken out the supreme award at the Tairawhiti Maori Sports Awards.

Wainohu had an extraordinary meet at the Va’a world sprint championships in Tahiti in July last year, including winning the junior 19 women’s V1 500 metres.

At an awards ceremony in Gisborne on Saturday night, the 17-year-old won junior sportswoman of the year and then the overall trophy.

She was also part of the Horouta J16 Puhi Kaiariki crew who won junior sports team of the year, as well as world champion performance.

Their achievements included winning gold in the W6 500m and W6 1000m at Tahiti.

Weightlifter and CrossFit athlete Tuteari Te Rauna-Lamont was judged junior sportsman of the year, as well as emerging talent.

BMX rider Justin Nepia won senior sportsman and bowler Dayvinia Mills senior sportswoman.

Ephraim Gudgeon, New Zealand’s first professional wheelchair bodybuilder, won the disability category.

The Waikohu premier rugby side, who won Poverty Bay’s Lee Bros Shield for the first time last year, picked up the senior team prize.

Waka ama stalwart Matahi Brightwell was coach of the year.

Josie Morete was recognised for more than 20 years of service in hockey and Albie Gibson was administrator of the year for his work in rugby.

n More coverage to come,