Eight days. Just eight days until the 2022 Commonwealth Games begin in Birmingham. There will be drama, glory, heartbreak — and at least one medallist who comes out of nowhere. Sports editor Hayden Meikle highlights the New Zealand athletes to watch.
There is no definitive list of the New Zealanders you MUST watch at the Commonwealth Games.
There are 233 of them, after all.
But here is a potential sprinkling of your black-uniformed national team to consider staying up late (or getting up early) for when it all begins in Peaky Blinders country.
MISHA KOUDINOV
Artistic gymnastics (July 29-August 2)
Always worth a watch, this bloke. Koudinov, who moved with his family from Russia to New Zealand when he was 6, is at his fifth Commonwealth Games. The Oceania all-around champion and parallel bars specialist headlines a young Kiwi artistic team. Fun fact: Koudinov became only the second New Zealander to have a gymnastics skill move officially named after him.
VAL SMITH
Lawn bowls (July 29-August 6)
The queen of the green is also gearing up for her fifth appearance at the Commonwealth Games. Smith leads the triples and fours teams, and will be seeking to complete the medal set, having won silver in singles at Delhi 2010 and bronze in fours at Glasgow 2010.
MAGGIE SQUIRE
Diving (August 4-8)
A bit of an unknown quantity but there is good reason for that — at 16, Squire is the youngest member of the New Zealand team in Birmingham. She has a bit of experience under her belt, though, having first represented New Zealand aged 14. Squire will compete in the 1m springboard then join team-mate Frazer Tavener in the mixed 3m synchronised springboard, held at the Commonwealth Games for the first time.
ZOE HOBBS
100m (August 2-3)
Appears to be timing her run to perfection. Hobbs just smashed her own Oceania and New Zealand records, clocking 11.08sec to reach the semifinals at the world championships in Eugene. There will be plenty of good sprinters in Birmingham but Hobbs will not look out of place.
HAMISH KERR
High jump (August 2-3)
Tom Walsh is the star man in the New Zealand athletics team, and will be defending his shot put gold medal. But do not forget Kerr, who was a surprise high jump finalist at the Tokyo Olympics then won bronze at the world indoor championships.
WHITE FERNS
Cricket (July 30-August 7)
Cricket? Yes, cricket returns to the Commonwealth Games for the first time since 1998. Just T20, and just for the women. The White Ferns will be eager to banish the memory of an underwhelming 50-over World Cup effort, and they have a couple of game-breakers. They must finish in the top two of their pool — which includes England, South Africa and Sri Lanka — to make the semifinals.
SOPHIE PASCOE
Para swimming (July 29)
Because it’s Dame Sophie Pascoe.
ELLESSE ANDREWS
Cycling (July 29-August 1)
Plenty of southern fans will have very high hopes for the young track star. Andrews soared to a stunning silver at the Tokyo Olympics and will have a full schedule in Birmingham.
BLACK STICKS
Hockey (July 29-August 8)
The women, the men, the lot. Both New Zealand teams will be aiming for the podium. The women seek to repeat their gold medal triumph from the Gold Coast four years ago, but all but four of the squad will be making their Commonwealth Games debut. The men won silver in 2018 and have a talented squad.
SILVER FERNS
Netball (July 29-August 7)
Gold or silver — that was generally the question when it came to our elite netballers at the Commonwealth Games. They made the final every time since the sport was introduced in 1998 until the Gold Coast meltdown four years ago. Noeline Taurua has since turned the Silver Ferns into world champions, though several players have moved on since that title three years ago. Should be in the mix for the final.
BLACK FERNS SEVENS
Rugby (July 29-31)
Yes, the men are there too. But it is the women we want to watch. It won’t be one-way traffic but expect this talent-laden team to win gold if it plays anywhere near its best.
PAUL COLL
Squash (July 29-August 5)
The world No2 claimed silver in singles and bronze in mixed doubles four years ago. He has been in sensational form for the past 12 months and is a real prospect of winning gold.
ERIKA FAIRWEATHER
Swimming (July 29-August 3)
We can’t not mention Dunedin’s superfish. Fairweather, an Olympic Games finalist last year, swims at her first Commonwealth Games in the 100m, 200m and 400m freestyle. The competition will be strong but she has talent, ticker and speed to burn. Swim, Erika, swim.
ANDREW JEFFCOAT
Swimming (July 29-August 3)
Keep an eye on this bloke. The backstroke specialist is ranked third in the Commonwealth over both 50m and 100m.
DAVID LITI
Weightlifting (August 3)
The big boys always make for good television. And Liti is all about big — his size and his smile. Liti is the defending 109kg-plus champion and looks set to go back to back.
HAYDEN WILDE
Triathlon (July 29, 31)
Still just 24, Wilde has packed plenty into his career. The Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist is in unbelievable form and can win in Birmingham if he performs well.
