New Zealand Judo Commonwealth Games Team: Kona Christie (Women under 57kg) Moira de Villiers (Women under 78kg) Hayley Mackie (Women under 78kg) Sydney Andrews (Women +78kg) Elliot Connolly (Men under 81kg) Jason Koster (Men under 100kg) Cody Andrews (men +100 kg). )
Husband and wife Jason Coster and Moira de Villiers will have a new dream come true as they head off to the second Commonwealth Games together.
The Christchurch-based duo lead the seven judokas selected on Friday for Team New Zealand for July’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. The other five judokas are Kona Christie, Hayley Mackie, Sydney Andrews, Elliot Connolly and Cody Andrews.
Going into the Commonwealth’s runners-up games, De Villiers is at his best after winning the gold medal at the opening games in Tunisia and Algeria in early 2022.
She won a silver medal at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and competed at the 2012 London Olympics where she placed 17th.
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Her husband Coaster also returned from Glasgow in 2014 where he won bronze in the under 100kg category.
“It’s a dream come true,” said De Villiers.
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Christchurch judoka Moira de Villiers will be looking to improve on her silver medal performance from the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
“Having given birth to my daughter four years ago, returning to the Commonwealth Games was a real goal and this time I’ve set my sights on gold.”
She said it would be very special to share this experience with her husband.
“We’ve been on this journey together for a very long time and it’s great to have my husband and coach by my side.”
Coaster first fought for New Zealand aged 17 and will travel to Birmingham aged 39.
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Veteran New Zealand footballer Jason Koster will train and compete for the New Zealand national football team at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
“It’s been a long journey for me,” he said.
“It’s been a full 10 years and I’m ready to finish what we started and fight for gold. To do this with my wife is literally very special. I couldn’t ask for a better partner and I can’t wait for Birmingham 2022. “
Coaster will be in demand in Birmingham. Aside from competing, he also coached De Villiers, Mackie, Connolly and Cody Andrews at Premier Equipe Judo Club in Christchurch.
“Taking over a whole team is great. We started this club just four years ago and now five of us are going to Birmingham, which is fantastic. I don’t think I could have written a better ending to my career.”
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Christchurch judoka Jason Koster will travel to the Commonwealth Games aged 39 after first representing New Zealand aged 17.
Commonwealth Games debutants Christie, Mackie and Sydney Andrews finished the women’s team.
Christie, 23, from Wellington won gold at this year’s Sydney International Open, while Andrews, 19, from Gisborne won bronze at the Prague Open in early 2022.
In the men’s division, first-time Commonwealth Games players Connolly and Cody Andrews joined Coaster.
Connolly has just returned to New Zealand after training and honing his skills in France where judo is very popular.
Christchurch teammate Andrews recently made his return to international competition, finishing seventh at the Tunisia Open, Algeria Open and America/Oceania Championships.
“It means a lot to me. I’ve played sports all my life, it’s great to represent my country. It’s a moment I will cherish forever,” Andrews said.
It is the first time judokas have been on a team at the New Zealand Games since the Rio 2016 Olympics, with judo being dropped from the program at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
Athletes will train ahead of the Games in New Zealand, Australia and Europe.
