Wrestlers selected for Youth Olympic Games

A team of four  wrestlers has been named for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Argentina in October.

The selected wrestlers are Westerly Ainsley (Te Wharekura o Mauao), Arapo Kellner (Kaitaia College), Ryan Marshall (Hamilton Boys’ High School) and Ella Derry (Tauranga Girls’ College).

The athletes were selected after winning their respective divisions at the Oceania Wrestling Championships, which doubled as the Youth Olympic Games qualifying tournament, in Guam in May.

Arapo Kellner began wrestling when he lived in Wyoming in the United States, where the sport is extremely popular.

“I started wrestling when I was four years old, growing up in the US my older brother and all my friends were all wrestlers so that’s how I got into it.

“I love the physicality and intensity that comes with the sport, it’s the ultimate challenge,” said the 16-year old.

15 year old Ella Derry also got into the sport through her brother. She enjoys the tactics involved and the fact that wrestling keeps her fit, strong and healthy.

“What I love about the sport is how much it makes you think and how different it is to the basic school sports that are offered, it really tests your mental strength.”

Westerly Ainsley will contest the 65kg Freestyle category, Arapo Kellner will contest the 60kg Greco Roman category, Ryan Marshall will contest the 80kg Freestyle category and Ella Derry will contest the 43kg Freestyle category.

About the wrestlers 

Ryan Marshall
Age at Games: 17
School:  Hamilton Boys’ High School

Career highlight: 
Winning the Youth Olympic Games qualifying tournament in Guam in May 2018.

How did you get into your sport: 
My older brother was invited by his representative rugby coach, who was also the wrestling coach at the time, to try out wrestling. I went along and have been wrestling ever since - that was 2011.

What do you love about the sport: 
I love the fact that even if you are down on the score board, you can still come back in the final seconds to win the match.  You have to stay 100% focused as the match is not over until the clock stops. 

What inspires you:
I am inspired by wearing the fern and representing New Zealand on the international stage.
 
Arapo Kellner
Age at Games: 17
School: Kaitaia College

Career highlight:
The first time I got to wear the Silver Fern and represent New Zealand in front of my Grandparents.

How did you get into your sport:
I started when I was four years old, I grew up in Wyoming in the USA and my friends and my older brother were wrestlers.

What do you love about the sport:
The physicality and intensity that wrestling brings is like no other, it is the ultimate challenge.

What inspires you:
To push myself to be better in life not just in sport.

Ella Derry
Age at Games: 15 years old
School: Tauranga Girls’ College.

Career highlight:
My highlight in wrestling was when I beat a girl in a weight range above me during National champs. Another one was when I got selected to go to Guam for the Oceanias and being able to represent New Zealand.

How did you get into your sport:
I got into wrestling via my brother, he started going to training because we knew the coach, Mark Grayling.

What do you love about the sport:
What I love about the sport is how much it makes you think and how different it is to the basic school sports that are offered, it also tests your mental strength.

What inspires you:
What inspires me is the need to keep fit, strong and healthy.
 
Westerly Ainsley
Age at Games: 16
School: Te Wharekura o Mauao.

Career highlight:
Winning the Oceania Championships in Guam.

How did you get into your sport:
 I started wrestling to help keep me strong and fit for rugby.

What do you love about the sport:
I enjoy the contact side of the sport, particularly the physicality and the challenge.

What inspires you:
To get fitter and stronger and to win for New Zealand.