Kaitaia wrestler Arapo Kellner needs help to get to Youth Olympics

Kaitaia Greco-Roman wrestler Arapo Kellner is going to Argentina to represent New Zealand at this year's Youth Olympics in October, but first he needs help getting there.

Kaitaia Greco-Roman wrestler Arapo Kellner has been chosen to represent New Zealand at the Youth Olympic Games in Argentina in October.

But the 16-year-old needs help to get there.

Kellner will contest the 60kg Greco Roman category at the Youth Olympic Games from October 5-15.

However, with this trip and others this year his family has already funded, the Kellners are reaching out to business owners, hoping they will help him achieve his goals of wrestling at the Youth Olympics while wearing the Silver Fern for NZ, Northland, and Kaitaia.

Kellner said he's looking forward to facing a range of international competitors at the Games.

He began wrestling when he lived in Wyoming in the United States, where the sport is extremely popular.

"I started wrestling when I was 4 years old. Growing up in the US my older brother and all my friends were all wrestlers so that's how I got into it.

"I love the physicality and intensity that comes with the sport, it's the ultimate challenge."

Kellner has represented New Zealand in wrestling at three Oceania events winning eight gold medals. He is in Year 12 at Kaitaia College where he was co-captain of the First XIII rugby league team. He is also a Northland rep in rugby and an under-17 rugby league Northern Swords rep member along with Te Taitokerau under-17s Māori.

The total cost for the trip is about $4500 and donations can be made at any ANZ bank under Kellner Wrestling with the bank account number 01-0461-0133964-55.