Unified MMA’s New Zealand kickboxing reps (LtoR) Hamish Woodney, Brock Gower and Paora Daymond-Bodger
Young Waitomo fighters have been kicking butts – and other body parts – while making names for themselves in Europe.
Unified MMA’s BJJ team – back row (LtoR): Austin Woodney, Renata Onehi, Te Ngaehe Onehi. Front row: Chloe Woodney, Hamish Woodney, Te Ruatahapari Onehi (coach) and Sarah Woodney.
Kickboxers Hamish Woodney, Brock Gower and Paora Daymond-Bodger secured medals for their New Zealand team at championship events in England and Italy.
Their results over the past few weeks have pleased their coaches, Ngamira Kopa and Te Ruatahapari Onehi from Unified MMA Waitomo.
The trio returned from Europe last week with a little extra luggage – in total, Woodney won four gold medals while his teammates, Gower and Daymond-Bodger, won two golds and a silver medal each.
LtoR – Brock Gower and Paora Daymond-Bodger sparring
It was the first time fighters from the Te Kūiti gym had been selected to represent New Zealand.
Woodney’s golden run followed a bronze medal-winning performance at Grappling Industries, Brisbane – a Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) competition – in late September.
Woodney’s BJJ teammates included his younger siblings, Austin, Chloe and Sarah, as well as Onehi’s children Te Ngaehe and Renata. Austin won two silver medals, Chloe claimed a silver and a bronze and Sarah secured a bronze.
Onehi said they exceeded his expectations.
“The kids all did really well – not just the ones who won medals, but right across the board – as they all had some hard battles. I’m absolutely stoked with how well the tamariki represented themselves. They all fought their hardest and left it all out there on the mat.”
Hamish Woodney sparring with Devante Waho
Unified MMA’s New Zealand kickboxing reps (LtoR) Hamish Woodney, Brock Gower and Paora Daymond-Bodger
