Nyle Sunderland - Race Walker
Medal ceremony for 20km Road Walk
I am very passionate about Race Walking. I found this sport almost by accident. I entered a triathlon 6 years ago with a friend and saw a racewalker blasting away from the field of walkers and just knew I had to learn how to do that.
It took a couple of years before I was able to go before judges, but once i completed that first judged race.....I was hooked.
I traveled to Townsville, Australia and entered the Oceania Track & Field W40-44 3000m, 5000m & 10km Road Walk and I won them all. My next overseas competition was Sydney, Australia where I entered the World Masters Games W40-44 5000m & 10km Road Walk. Here I had my best competition, I had 9 others in each race. I won Silver for the 10km Road Walk and Gold for the 5000m Track walk and achieving PB's in both races.
After this race I decided that if i wanted to get really serious about my sport then I would need to enlist the help of a Coach. I found Jim Leppik through a friend. He is based in Geelong, Melbourne. Since being with Jim, my race walk style changed dramatically and my times started to drop rapidly. I had made my long term goal to enter the World Masters Track & Field, being held in Sacramento, USA 2011.
I was never sure if I would make it due to finances and fitness. But when the time came to pay for the trip, I had found sponsors to help and my times made me competitive enough to go. This is the highest level a Master can compete at and I was excited and nervous to be going. I entered W40-44 5000m, 10km Road Walk & 20km Road Walk. Winning GOLD in all three events and huge PB's in each walk. Standing on the podium to collect my first medal was one of the most moving experiences of my life. Hearing the NZ Anthem playing while other competitors cheers and clapped was incredible. Returning home a Triple World Champion has been surreal.
My next goal is to be selected for the NZ Open team to race against Australia U23 team to be held in Hobart, Australia in Feb 2012.
I am lucky to have such a supportive family that have all helped encourage me and support me. I have 3 wonderful adult children, two grand children and one of the most supportive and understanding husbands around.
It took a couple of years before I was able to go before judges, but once i completed that first judged race.....I was hooked.
I traveled to Townsville, Australia and entered the Oceania Track & Field W40-44 3000m, 5000m & 10km Road Walk and I won them all. My next overseas competition was Sydney, Australia where I entered the World Masters Games W40-44 5000m & 10km Road Walk. Here I had my best competition, I had 9 others in each race. I won Silver for the 10km Road Walk and Gold for the 5000m Track walk and achieving PB's in both races.
After this race I decided that if i wanted to get really serious about my sport then I would need to enlist the help of a Coach. I found Jim Leppik through a friend. He is based in Geelong, Melbourne. Since being with Jim, my race walk style changed dramatically and my times started to drop rapidly. I had made my long term goal to enter the World Masters Track & Field, being held in Sacramento, USA 2011.
I was never sure if I would make it due to finances and fitness. But when the time came to pay for the trip, I had found sponsors to help and my times made me competitive enough to go. This is the highest level a Master can compete at and I was excited and nervous to be going. I entered W40-44 5000m, 10km Road Walk & 20km Road Walk. Winning GOLD in all three events and huge PB's in each walk. Standing on the podium to collect my first medal was one of the most moving experiences of my life. Hearing the NZ Anthem playing while other competitors cheers and clapped was incredible. Returning home a Triple World Champion has been surreal.
My next goal is to be selected for the NZ Open team to race against Australia U23 team to be held in Hobart, Australia in Feb 2012.
I am lucky to have such a supportive family that have all helped encourage me and support me. I have 3 wonderful adult children, two grand children and one of the most supportive and understanding husbands around.
