Impairment Information |
Type of Impairment |
Cerebral Palsy |
Origin of Impairment |
Congenital |
Classification |
F37 |
Further Personal Information |
Residence |
Auckland, NZL |
Occupation |
Athlete, Logistics |
Languages |
English |
Sport Specific Information |
When and where did you begin this sport? |
He began the sport in late 2016. |
Why this sport? |
"[It was a] new adventure to learn something new, become healthier and see if I had potential to make it to the top." |
Club / Team |
Papakura Athletic and Harrier Club: Auckland, NZL |
Name of coach |
John Eden [national] |
Senior International Debut |
Year |
2019 |
Competing for |
New Zealand |
Tournament |
Oceania Championships |
Location |
Townsville, QLD, AUS |
General Interest |
Nicknames |
Benza ["After my cousin called me this, I performed under this alias a few times as a casual singer and rapper, and then it just stuck and everyone calls me it"]. (Athlete, 11 Nov 2019; Facebook profile, 26 Apr 2020) |
Hobbies |
Dancing, singing. (Athlete, 11 Nov 2019) |
Memorable sporting achievement |
Being selected for the New Zealand national team. (Athlete, 11 Nov 2019) |
Sporting philosophy / motto |
"Difference is the challenge but ultimately the blessing." (Athlete, 11 Nov 2019) |
Other sports |
He has competed in Para rugby through the Physical Disability Rugby League New Zealand [PDRL] competition. He has also represented New Zealand in PDRL, and took part in the 2018 Rugby League Emerging Nations World Championships in Sydney, NSW, Australia. (canterburyrugbyleague.co.nz, 07 Aug 2018) |
Ambitions |
To win a medal at the Paralympic Games. (Athlete, 11 Nov 2019) |
Impairment |
He was born with left-sided hemiplegia. (attitudelive.com, 25 Jun 2019) |
Other information |
PARA RUGBY
He has represented New Zealand in Para rugby, known as Physical Disability Rugby League [PDRL]. In 2017 he took part in an international 'All Star' tournament against an Australian team. "In Sydney, someone created and grew a [rugby] league competition for people with physical disabilities. They also made an All Stars game concept where once a year the New South Wales [Australian] All Stars play the Indigenous [New Zealand] All Stars and [I was] lucky enough to be invited to play in the Indigenous side. The experience was fulfilling on a lot of levels and what I felt I needed personally. I have always wanted to put on a league jersey like my old man [father] and family, to work alongside other people with disabilities and feel the physical pain after a game." (thecoconet.tv, 01 Jan 2018; canterburyrugbyleague.co.nz, 07 Aug 2018) |
