Youth Olympics Nate Moore from Mount College (left) and Kahurangi Robinson Western Heights. Photo / Andrew Warner
Youth Olympics Nate Moore from Mount College (left) and Kahurangi Robinson Western Heights. Photo / Andrew Warner
Western Bay athletes have made promising starts at the Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China.
The beach volleyball duo of Nathaniel Moore, 18, from Mount Maunganui College, and Kahurangi Robinson, 17, from Western Heights High School, won 2-0 in their second pool match against Lithuania.
Despite playing in the high-profile centrecourt, they did not allow the music and fanfare to take over. Coach Darrell Boyd said they had good control and played a strong defensive game.
They won the first set 21-19, and the second 21-18. Moore said the two "went into the game a bit nervous", but Robinson's cut shots helped them win the points needed. Their next game is against world champion Brazil.
Coral Headey, 15, of Otumoetai College, showed excellent form in the Techno 293 windsurfing. The shifting winds, however, meant a loss in placings and a surprise for even the most seasoned sailors. Headey was in a top-three position in her individual event, but found it difficult to retain the position because of winds. She is in eighth place after three races.
Amy Robinson was part of the five-a-side hockey team that started well with a 10-5 win over Zambia. Five-a-side is a fresh concept introduced by the game's governing body, the International Hockey Federation (FIH). There are nine in a team with only five players on the field, there are side boards around a reduced field size, no penalty corners, and the game is split into three periods of 15 minutes with an interval of two minutes between each period.
Papamoa College wrestler Merinda Bramley has yet to start her programme.
