Nikita Coleman | Sport

When I was five years old I had the first opportunity to compete in the Weet-Bix TRYathlon. I whipped out the bike with training wheels and off I went, smoking up the course and getting my first medal for participation. Now, 13 years down the track the training wheels are gone, my participation medal is proudly hung on my wall and I am part of the New Zealand Age-Group Triathlon Team competing in Abu Dhabi in November of 2022.

Although Triathlon can feel like a full-time job I work to make sure my life is balanced across all areas. In 2023, I will be studying at the University of Waikato doing a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Environmental Engineering as well as a concurrent Diploma in Engineering Management.

Serving others is also something I find incredibly rewarding and necessary in my everyday life. Whether I am Tutoring children at the Waikato Refugee Centre, volunteering for sports events like the Special Olympics or even helping sort food and presents during Christmas at the Waikato Salvation Army warehouse, I find that serving others is a very rewarding and eye-opening opportunity.

Over the last few years, sporting events have been scarce due to the pandemic but I am looking forward to the 2022/2023 season ahead with the support of the Adastra Foundation.