Central Otago athlete Aja Tate – Bell has had an outstanding year in her sport. With in the sport of Karate, Aja competed at the New Zealand Nationals where she gained the title of  New Zealand Champion for 14-15yr Female +59kg Kumite. Aja is also currently 3rd in New Zealand for Kata. Aja is also ranked 2nd on the New Zealand Secondary Schools rankings for both Kata and Kumite based on her results she gained at the New Zealand Secondary School Championships last year. Continuing her outstanding season, Aja is the current Otago Southland Champion, ranked 1st place in both the Women’s Open Kata and Kumite and the 16-17 yrs Kata and Kumite. In her most recent success, Aja came away from the Multi-style Championships with 5 gold and 1 sliver medal, there she was awarded the Megan Finlayson Memorial Trophy for the most points gathered in the 15 – 17 yr age group.

Quote from Aja “The Academy has helped me as an athlete, create a broader understanding of primary focuses within my sport, I have gained a variation of knowledge which has helped me create a greater understanding of my sport and how to prepare mentally and physically for upcoming competitions”.