Teen aims for podium

MEDAL HAUL: Wanganui teenager Antoine Rahier uses the medals he is most proud of as motivation for the upcoming World Junior Championships in Slovenia in October. PHOTO/BEVAN CONLEY

Small and polite, Wanganui teenager Antoine Rahier could be the surprise package at the World Junior Judo Championships in Ljubaina, Slovenia in October.

The 17-year-old New Caledonian-born Rahier is in his final year at St Dominic's Convent and College in York St and for the past three years has been a member of the Wanganui City College Judo Club - even though he started the sport aged 4 in his homeland.

Already the brown belt has built an impressive record on competition mats in Australia and New Zealand with medals from the New Zealand Secondary School champs and at Oceania level.

After leaving school Rahier is undecided on his future career, although physiotherapy or the police force are high on his list. In the meantime he is happy to concentrate on the North Island Championships in Gisborne at the end of the month and the worlds in Slovenia.

"Judo-wise New Zealand is a relatively young country and we don't get the training that some of the bigger countries get, so a top 10 placing at the worlds would make me happy at this stage - I'll certainly be aiming higher though, maybe even a podium finish," Rahier said yesterday.

He has trained and competed under the guidance of the City College Judo Club and coach Garry Davies, and he has also had help during his time at the Wanganui Judo Club and from former exponent Matt Gibson.

"I couldn't have got to this stage without support from my coach, my family and others. My dad was into judo back home in New Caledonia when he was younger, but a shoulder injury halted that," Rahier said.

While he rates New Zealand home as a judo exponent, in his heart the French-speaking Pacific Island remains home.

"The world championship in a big step up and whatever the outcome it will be a good stepping stone to hopefully make the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia and then the Olympic Games in 2020 - I won't be ready for the Rio Olympics in 2016," Rahier said.

He has already represented New Zealand at the Oceania Championships achieving a silver medal in Junior Men U60kg in April 2013 in Cairns, Australia and just last weekend Rahier won bronze at the strong Auckland International.

Selection to the Junior World Championships comes at a cost and because of his age he feels a coach or parent will be needed.

"We are hoping my coach Garry Davies can come too, but it's on at the same time as the New Zealand nationals and the City club will be sending a team. They are trying to find someone to replace Garry at the nationals.

"It's likely to cost around $15,000 to get to the worlds, so hopefully some kind sponsors might come forward," the quietly spoken Rahier said.