Gold to Gisborne's Sydnee Andrews at European judo open
Andrews struck gold at the Tallinn European Open in Estonia at the weekend.
Competing in the senior women's +78-kilograms division, the 22-year-old defeated defending champion and hometown favourite Emma-Melis Aktas in the final.
It was Andrews'
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NZ Herald
08-07-2025
- NZ Herald
Gold to Gisborne's Sydnee Andrews at European judo open
Another tournament, another milestone on the burgeoning career path of Gisborne judoka Sydnee Andrews. Andrews struck gold at the Tallinn European Open in Estonia at the weekend. Competing in the senior women's +78-kilograms division, the 22-year-old defeated defending champion and hometown favourite Emma-Melis Aktas in the final. It was Andrews'
Scoop
12-06-2025
- Scoop
Pulse Re-Set For Big Clash
A quick bounce-back is front and centre for Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse when they square off against the table-topping Tactix in a key ANZ Premiership netball league match-up in Christchurch on Sunday. Effectively dismantled to the tune of 13 goals in their most recent outing by the Mystics, the Pulse have slipped to third in the pecking order and with time marching on, the importance of the trip to Christchurch cannot be under-stated. With just the one loss, the Tactix have been bubbling along nicely to set the pace in the first half of the season, the pressure now on all teams to rise a notch or two with five rounds remaining in the race to the Finals Series (top three teams). ``In the whole scheme of our season this game is really important,'' Pulse coach Anna Andrews-Tasola said. ``Every game's a must-win for us and we haven't played them yet, so we're going there with fresh eyes and making sure that we're ready to compete. ``They're (Tactix) doing a really good job, sitting top of the table at the moment and they've earnt that, so it's a really important one for us. They're going to bring their best game as well at home, so it's vital that we go out there and do the hard work towards winning.'' Failing to respond to what the Mystics threw at them left the Pulse in damage control mode, always chasing the game and disjointed. With a perfect 38 from 38, shooter Amelia Walmsley showed what she can do with ball in hand for the Pulse but lacked the consistent volume needed to make a decent dent. At the defensive end, the Pulse struggled to tame a slick and fluid Mystics attack line and paid the price. ``Full credit to the Mystics, they really brough it to us and we were really disappointed with our performance and the way that we showed up,'' Andrews-Tasola said. ``We're all very disappointed, especially in front of an amazing sold-out home crowd to play the way we did. But Mystics put us in that situation and highlighted some gaps for us and we've been working hard to address those this week. ``We all just got disconnected in that game. They played an aggressive but skilful game, competed really hard and we didn't respond quick enough. ``We didn't get the strong start we've enjoyed over the last couple of weeks. They targeted that factor as well, so we need to make sure we respond to those situations a lot quicker. We responded in the second half but by then the score had already blown out.'' Prior to the Mystics, the Pulse had enjoyed profitable returns from scoring off their own possession and applying strong defensive pressure throughout the court, the focus now being a quick return to that way of play. Tweaks and attitude as opposed to a massive dissection of the game plan remain at the forefront. ``We've had a look at everything and it was really important we executed what we had planned to do and stuck to that,'' Andrews-Tasola said. ``So, it's really important that we are disciplined with that and stay connected. Staying connected is what we want to make sure we bring this week, as units and as a team. ``It's a big game for both teams. Over the last couple of years we've had some close games with the Tactix so we're looking forward to making this a competitive spectacle.''
Otago Daily Times
02-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
More recognition for New Zealand's queen of cycling
The most successful cyclist in New Zealand Olympic history has dedicated her latest honour to the people who supported her decorated career - and it isn't over yet. Four-time Olympic medallist and double Olympic champion Ellesse Andrews has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in this year's King's Birthday Honours for services to cycling. The 25-year-old sprinter said front of mind was her parents who were there when it all began. Her father, Jon Andrews, was no stranger to the cutthroat world of elite cycling when he introduced his young daughter to the sport. He won a Commonwealth Games bronze medal in the time trial, and knew the speeds she would be reaching when she raced the steeply banked oval tracks of the velodrome. He also wore the silver fern at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona and at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria. While mother Angela Mote-Andrews knew about competing on two wheels as an elite mountainbiker. Currently competing in Japan with the New Zealand team, Andrews said the honour was a bolt from the blue. "It means a lot to me but also really signifies the support that I have to had to get to this point," Andrews said. "Absolutely my family, my friends and everyone has been so supportive and I guess beyond that the community that we have within cycling in New Zealand." Andrews grew up in Luggate and attended Wānaka Primary School and Mount Aspiring College until her final two years when she attended St Peter's in Cambridge. She set new standards in the sport after winning gold medals in the Women's Sprint and Keirin along with a silver medal in the Women's Team Sprint at last year's Paris Olympic Games. She became the first New Zealand cyclist to win two gold medals and three medals in total at a single Olympics. Together with the silver medal she attained in the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games, taking her Olympic medal haul to four medals. The previous best was two medals won by cyclist Hayden Roulston at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. Alongside her Olympic medals, Andrews won the the Keirin title at the World Track Cycling Championships in Glasgow in 2023. She also won three gold medals at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. While the medals on the track have come thick and fast, she didn't have an honour like this on her radar. "I didn't really expect it at all so it was really a massive surprise to read the email and then to see it come out today - yes, it's a huge privilege." "I'm really proud to have been a part of it and I'm really proud to go out there on the world stage and really to continue to put New Zealand on the map because we have so many talented riders."
