Tokyo Olympics 2020: Hawke's Bay's dynamic duo, 'Twigg and TMack', blow competitors out the water

Silver medalist, ROC athlete Hanna Prakatsen, Gold medalist, New Zealand's Emma Twigg and Bronze medalist, Austria's Magdalena Lobnig (L-R) at the award ceremony. Photo / GETTY IMAGES

The two Hawke's Bay athletes who won gold at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 are preparing to return to the region and thank their support crew and those who kick-started their passion in sports.

The gold medallists - Tom Mackintosh, as part of the New Zealand men's eights team, and Emma Twigg in single sculls - recount the winning feeling to Hawke's Bay Today.

Mackintosh's first reaction when the team crossed the finish line was disbelief.

"Did we win?"

The answer to that question, a typical Kiwi 'yeah mate', meant for the New Zealand men's eights team.

Mackintosh said winning gold was a dream come true.

"On the day it was 38 degree Celsius. It was stinking hot," he told Hawke's Bay Today.

"I looked to my right and there was Germany, then I looked to my left there was Great Britain and Netherlands. It was a stacked field and intimidating.

"But I knew we had a decent shot if we put our training into practice. When we won, I checked with Bondy (Hamish Bond) 'did we win this?' and he said 'yeah mate, we did'. It still hasn't sunk in."

Former Lindisfarne College student Tom Mackintosh (far left) is now an Olympic gold medallist. Photo / PHOTOSPORT

He said winning gold was an 'amazing experience'.

"It'd been a goal of mine for such a long time, even being in the Olympics was big," he said.

"Then we got into the finals and it was awesome. A mammoth amount of work went into winning."

He said lot of hours went into the win.

"We trained 14 to 15 times a week, which included up to five hours of cardio work in one go," he said.

"We also trained for the hot conditions by sectioning off half of the gym, cranking the room temperature up to 30 degree Celsius, and pouring hot water on the ground to get humidity to mimic Tokyo's heat.

"Some guys were losing five litres of sweat."

He said even though it was a big win, the team's celebrations were fairly low-key, with Covid-19 restrictions putting a dampener on proceedings.

"We had a good debrief, caught up and had a few beers. Emma (Twigg) and I touched base and reflected on the time we spent rowing on the Clive River," he said.

"It's such a privilege to be part of the best team in the world and watching everyone excel in the craft.

"I am very grateful for all the support back home and from everyone in Hawke's Bay. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them."

For Emma Twigg, winning was a "surreal" experience.

"It was surreal when I crossed the line," Twigg said.

"I mean I knew I had it in me, that's why I was there, but it was still surreal. I was exhausted by the end."

She said getting to the podium was emotional for all concerned.

"When I was on the podium it was quite emotional thinking about all the people who have supported me to get this far, through the highs and lows."

The region is standing proud after former Napier woman Emma Twigg (centre) claimed Olympic gold in women's single sculls on .Photo / GETTY IMAGES

Post-win, Twigg called home to celebrate.

"I had a video call with Mum and Dad, and my brother and I spoke briefly to Cha [Twigg's wife, Charlotte]," she said.

"We had a quiet team function."

Her plans for the long-term are on hold while she recovers from the Games.

"I've got time in my calendar to come back to Hawke's Bay and I intend to visit Napier Girls High and Hawke's Bay Rowing Club to thank them for their help and support over the years.

"Hopefully we [Tom and her] have inspired some young people to follow their passion in sports, whatever it might be."

She said a catch-up with friends and family was also due.

"I am looking forward to sharing my win with them."

Both athletes are being held in the highest regard in the region.

Tom Mackintosh and Emma Twigg celebrate their win together. Photo / Supplied

To add to the golden moments, two Hawke's Bay mens rugby sevens players picked up silvers - Tone Ng Shui (formerly of Napier Boys' High School) and Kurt Baker (formerly of the Magpies) played important roles as the All Blacks Sevens charged into the final before meeting their match against Fiji.

Other Hawke's Bay Olympians didn't perform quite as well, though. Daniel Meech and Cinca 3 were eliminated from the individual show jumping final under 'blood rules' as blood was found on the mare.

Dylan Thomas, Sean Findlay and Shea McAleese were in the men's hockey team, which came ninth out of 12.

Regan Gough just missed out on a bronze medal in the cycling (4000m Team Pursuit - Men), while Aaron Gate crashed after touching wheels with the rider in front of him. As a result of the crash he suffered a fracture of the clavicle and bruising.

In response to the two gold-winning athletes, Hawke's Bay Rowing Club's club captain Belinda (Billy) VanderPeet said Twigg started with the club as a novice in 2001.

"She got the bug and progressed to elite level," she said.

"It takes a lot of discipline and effort to get where she is, but she always comes back to the club, comes to see the kids and occasionally coaches.

"Tom also started as a novice approximately nine years ago, and he's a really neat club member.

"We were so very proud to watch them win, and we'd love to see them when they come back."

Sports Hawke's Bay's general manager Ryan Hambleton said the organisation was "very proud" of both athletes.

"The win for the region is up there with the best of the best. Hats off to all the people who worked closely with them. We are very proud of them."