Sports

Ryan Zou

Badminton Champion - Year 13

Ryan discovered a passion for badminton at the age of six and a half and has been actively involved in the sport ever since. He began their journey at the Waitākere Junior Badminton Club, where he participated in regular training, weekend club sessions, and team play. Over the years, Ryan has competed in numerous individual and team tournaments across New Zealand, earning a number of strong results and building a solid competitive track record.

Some of Ryan’s notable achievements include:

• Winner of boys’ doubles at two recent tournaments, both awarding monetary prizes
• Third place in the Under-17 National Team Championships (2022), representing Waitākere
• Captain of the school’s Boys A team, leading him to four consecutive interschool championship titles

With a short-term goal of achieving top placements in upcoming tournaments and the Teams Nationals in Palmerston North, Ryan is committed to maintaining badminton as a long-term pursuit.

He encourages other students to give the sport a try: “Have a go and you'd love it. It is fun and rewarding.”

For Ryan, badminton is more than just a game - it’s a fast-paced, strategic sport that sharpens mental focus and fosters teamwork. It has provided an outlet during stressful times, like exam season, and has helped him forge lasting friendships through shared passion and camaraderie.

Mason Wang

Swimming Champion - Graduating class of 2024

Mason is a decorated competitive swimmer whose career has spanned nearly a decade, beginning with swimming lessons at the local pool at the age of four and progressing to competitive swimming by eleven. Over the years, Mason has demonstrated remarkable dedication to the sport, maintaining a demanding training schedule that included eight 90-minute pool sessions and three gym sessions each week - often while juggling school responsibilities in a year-round sport with no true off-season.

In 2021, Mason competed at their first New Zealand national championships, where he broke two national records and claimed their first national titles. In 2023, he earned selection to the New Zealand national team, going on to win gold in the 4x50m relay at the Queensland State Age Championships.

Throughout their career, Mason has accumulated an impressive list of accolades:

• International gold medallist
• New Zealand national team representative
• Five-time national record holder
• Ten-time Auckland regional record holder
• Seventeen-time national champion
• Thirty-six-time national medallist

Beyond the accolades, Mason values the relationships formed through swimming and the camaraderie of competing alongside others who share the same dedication and goals. His philosophy reflects a deep love for the process of growth and perseverance: “Everything starts off slow, especially swimming, so don't go into it looking for success. Instead, focus on how you can enjoy the process, and the success will find you.”

Nikko Kelly

Year 12 – Rising Star in Athletics

Nikko has been making impressive strides on the track, with standout performances over the past two years.

• 2024: 2nd place in the U20 Auckland Waterfront Half Marathon (1h18m) and 2nd in the College Sport Auckland Champs 3000m.
• 2025: 2nd place in both the U18 800m and U18 1500m at the Auckland Athletics Championships.

With a strong commitment to consistency and perseverance, Nikko’s advice to others is simple: “Be consistent and don’t give up.”

Looking ahead, Nikko has set ambitious goals of pursuing both athletics and academic scholarships to universities. As he puts it: “Running provides opportunity to explore.”

Kona Kelly

Year 10 – Dedication and Drive on the Track

Kona has consistently demonstrated excellence in athletics, achieving outstanding results across multiple disciplines.

• 2024: 1st place in the 1500m and 2nd in the 3000m at the College Sport Auckland Championships, 2nd in the NZSSA Road Race, and 3rd in the NZSSA Duathlon.
• 2025: 1st in both the 1500m and 800m at the Auckland Athletics Championships, 1st in the 1500m and 800m at the North Island Colgate Games, 1st in the U16 3000m and 2nd in the 1500m at the NZ Athletics Championships and named Auckland Athletics Junior Sportsman of the Year. Kona also placed 2nd in the U17 5km at the College Sport Auckland Cross Country Championships.

Kona credits much of his success to training with others, offering the advice: “Find a group to help motivate each other – running provides great cardio improvement for other sports and general life.”

His goal remains simple but powerful: to continue lowering his personal bests. As he reflects: “The more effort you put in, the more rewarding the experience.”