From the Fern: Latest from the NZ Team
July was a slightly quieter month on the sporting calendar, but there were still some incredible results around the world.
Our New Zealand weightlifters shone at the Pacific Mini Games in Palau, bringing home a total of nine medals - two gold, three silver, and three bronze. David Liti led the way with gold in the +110kg Clean & Jerk and overall, along with silver in the Snatch. Newcomers Judy Soloai and Tui-Alofa Patolo each claimed bronze with Judy also picking up another bronze for her 132kg in the Clean & Jerk. Sienna Fesolai secured silver in the women’s 69kg category with standout lifts in both the Snatch and Clean & Jerk.
📸 @louiejhadfield / @athleticsnz
At the London Diamond League in mid-July, Paris Olympian Olivia McTaggart achieved a career-best clearance of 4.73m in pole vault, clinching first place on countback in front of 60,000 spectators. She not only secured victory but also confirmed her qualification for the upcoming World Athletics Championships.
Sammie Maxwell claimed a fantastic win in the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Andorra, overcoming two crashes and a puncture to take victory in the elite women’s cross-country race. In just her first season at this level, she showed incredible determination to fight back and now leads the overall series heading into the final rounds.
At the Monaco Diamond League Meeting this month, Paris Olympian Zoe Hobbs stormed to a career-best podium finish, taking bronze in the women's 100m in 11.12 seconds, behind Olympic champion Julien Alfred (10.79 s) and Jacious Sears (11.02 s).
Three of our Olympic champion sevens players are making their mark in the 2025 NRLW season, proudly representing Aotearoa. Michaela Brake and Tysha Ikenasio starred in the Warriors’ 14–0 Round 2 win over the Eels, both scoring tries as Brake racked up over 200 metres. Tyla King made a solid debut for the Sharks in Round 4, playing 38 minutes off the bench with 10 tackles and 45 running metres.