LUCIAN Poaneki of Ōtorohanga competes in the 12-year-old boys' high jump at the 2023 Colgate Games in Whanganui. PHOTO SUPPLIED
Ōtorohanga athlete Lucian Poaneki loves to run fast.
The 13-year-old speedster was one of the stars at the recent North Island Colgate Games, held at Cooks Gardens in Whanganui.
Lucian competed in the 12-year-old boys’ division and showed enormous potential. He picked up four medals – two silvers and two bronze – and finished fifth in his other event.
Lucian attended the games last year with the Ōtorohanga Athletics Club, but with no-one there able to take on the reins this year, he shifted to the Te Awamutu Athletics Club and is reaping the rewards.
“I am pleased to get these medals from the Colgate Games,” he said.
His mum, Audrey Poaneki, said her son competed incredibly well in Whanganui.
“He did super well. There was a boy from Richmond who was incredibly fast but for Lucian to get four medals was a super effort.”
Poaneki said the Colgate Games was a fantastic event and the athletes always had a blast.
“Lucian loves going to the games to not only see how he goes against some of the top athletes, but also to catch up with the friends he has made from other years that he sees only once a year.”
In the 100 metres, Lucian picked up a bronze medal. He won his heat before finishing third in the final.
Lucian won his 200m heat and qualified third fastest for the final where an outstanding run saw him come away with second place.
His third medal came in the 400m with Lucian again winning his heat and then powering home for third with a faster time.
His final medal was a silver in the long jump as he leaped an impressive 4.76m.
High jump was his final event and although he didn’t medal, he finished well up the rankings in fifth place.
“Lucian was chuffed with his high jump effort,” Poaneki said. “He doesn’t really do it a lot so to give it a go and finish fifth was impressive. He was still doing the scissor, which also made it harder for him.”
Tall for his age, Lucian has long strides which come in handy when competing in the sprints and long jump and high jump events.
“He’s got the build of a high jumper, but his favourite event is probably long jump,” Poaneki said.
Following his success in Whanganui, Lucian has floated the idea of more expert coaching to help him reel in Richmond’s Bradley Kershaw.
“He wants some proper coaching now to see how much he can improve and if he can catch Bradley.”
Perhaps surprisingly given his success, athletics isn’t Lucian’s favourite sport. He plays both rugby and basketball.
“Rugby is his passion he absolutely loves it,” Poaneki said. “He played for Ōtorohanga last year, but we might look at taking him to Te Awamutu this season.
He has his heart set on being a loose forward for the Chiefs and All Blacks.
“And because of his height, he’s been roped into a basketball team for a Māori basketball tournament coming up and he’s never played before.”
Lucien’s younger sister, Amelia, also competed at the Colgate Games in the ribbon section for the Te Awamutu club.
Although living in Ōtorohanga means slightly more travelling for athletics in Te Awamutu, both children are loving it and Poaneki is happy to provide whatever support is necessary.
