Z Manu World Champs Expands to Australia with Exciting New Qualifiers

The Z Manu World Championships is set to take on an international dimension as it expands to include a qualifying event in the Gold Coast, Australia. This marks the third year of the competition, which began as a lighthearted initiative and is now gaining legitimacy within the global sports community. The inaugural international manu event will take place at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre on February 7, 2025, coinciding with Waitangi weekend.

Event organiser Scott Rice expressed enthusiasm about the Gold Coast’s inclusion, highlighting the significant number of Kiwis residing in Australia. “We’re really stoked to have it on the Gold Coast knowing that there is a big community of Kiwis that have moved over there who would be pretty stoked to see a manu comp pop up on their shores,” he said. This new phase aims to foster greater participation in the sport and showcase talent from both New Zealand and Australia.

The first of twelve qualifying and super qualifying events will kick off on November 30 at Dunedin’s waterfront. Competitors will be able to enter various age-group and adult divisions, competing for a spot in the finals scheduled for March 14, 2025, at Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour. A total of $40,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded, with Australian finalists receiving accommodation, flights, and spending money to attend the grand final.

Training opportunities will also be available for participants across the Gold Coast and South East Queensland. Rice emphasised the importance of proper technique in executing the perfect ‘v-shaped’ manu, noting that practice and guidance are essential for improvement. “It helps that you have someone alongside you that are pointing out the do’s and don’ts, what you’re doing well and what you can work on,” he explained.

The event is designed to be inclusive, encouraging participation from individuals of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Rice stated, “It’s the celebration of the manu, and we encourage anyone to either participate or to come down and watch one of the qualifiers or the final.” He particularly hopes to see an increase in female participation, as the competition has traditionally been male-dominated.

To promote inclusivity, there are four women-only heats scheduled during the super qualifiers in Hamilton, Wellington, and Auckland. Rice assured that prize money will be equal for male and female competitors, further encouraging more women to join. “We’d love to have more women taking part,” he added.

Registrations for the Z Manu World Champs are now open, inviting participants from across the region to take part in this exciting and vibrant event. The championship not only aims to highlight the athletic talent in the manu community but also seeks to create an engaging atmosphere for spectators and competitors alike.