Winter Olympics bronze medallist Nico Porteous chose skiing over hockey

New Zealand's Nico Porteous. Photo / AP

New Zealand freestyle skier Nico Porteous became the country's youngest ever Olympic medallist, but it was the Black Sticks who he grew up idolising.

The 16-year-old skier claimed the bronze in the men's halfpipe freeski on Thursday, becoming just the third New Zealander to medal at the Winter Olympics in the country's history.

But in another life, Porteous might have represented New Zealand in hockey instead of skiing.

"I looked up to the Black Sticks," Porteous told Radio Sport's Mark Watson.

"I used to play a lot of field hockey but I've always been skiing my whole life and grew up in the snow.

"But on the weekends I would play a lot of field hockey and I got really into it. I either wanted to be part of the Black Sticks or be a professional freestyle skier."

The teenage adrenaline junkie ended up choosing the high-flying world of freestyle skiing, which he says was a way to express himself.

"I love the freedom that freestyle skiing gives you and that there's no rules on what you can and what you can't do in skiing.

"So it's all about just expressing yourself. I just wanted to see where I could go with the sport and really try and be the best sportsperson I could be."

Porteous won the historic medal just two hours after fellow teenager Zoi Sadowski-Synnott also claimed bronze in the women's snowboard big air.

The 16-year-old said he was still in disbelief and was overwhelmed by the reaction he has gotten.

"I can't even believe it. Looking down right now I'm looking at my bronze medal sitting on my chest. It is unbelievable, I cannot believe it.

"I'm probably pretty close to losing my voice. I've been speaking a lot lately. Other than that I'm just super stoked and really proud to be a New Zealander."

The teenage star said he was proud to represent his sport and wants to inspire others to take up freestyle skiing.

"Honestly I just want to inspire as many people to become freeskiers and to be a part of the freestyle skiing community.

"Not only being on skis but also snowboarding and I just think it's cool either way."

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