The Year 8 Dio student threw 12.87m in the 12-year-old girls’ category, smashing the previous world record of 12.80m. She threw a 4kg shot – something generally reserved for much older competitors.
She was also ranked first equal in the national U-20 competition, second in the New Zealand U-18 competition, and fifth in the New Zealand Senior Women’s competition.
Sina-Maria is also a champion discus-thrower, and she currently holds 16 world age group records across both disciplines.
She lists world renown New Zealand shot putters Dame Valerie Adams, Lisa Adams and Jacko Gill as her heroes and mentors, and followed the NZ athletics team closely in the recent Paris Olympics and Paralympics.
“I’ve met Dame Valerie and Lisa Adams at my Dad’s SUP2 clothing shop in Auckland,” she says. “I’m lucky to be coached by Jacko Gill’s mother and father and see Jacko at training and competitions up and down the country, so I get to rub shoulders with such fantastic athletes. They really inspire me.”
Most recently, at the Auckland Interzone Athletics Day, Sina-Maria delivered another standout performance. She not only dominated the shot put and discus events, but also set new records for her age group in both disciplines. Her achievements continue to raise the bar and inspire her peers.
A rising star from the start
Sina-Maria’s father Winston first signed her up for the Takapuna Athletics Club when she was eight years old, and he says she fell in love with discus and shotput straight away.
“When I first broke the world age group record for eight-year-old girls and there was TV coverage of it, that really opened my eyes and inspired me to keep at it!” Sina-Maria says.
Northcote-based Sina-Maria comes from a sporting family – Winston is a former professional rugby and rugby league player, and both parents are still heavily involved in sport and supporting Sina-Maria. Her older sister Summer-Hope is a full-time dance and ballet performer, while her older stepbrothers Roman, Max and Sam all play football.
“Dad is always at my training sessions and both him and Mum share attending my competitions and training,” Sina-Maria says.
“They’re both always there to support me in all my achievements.”
Dedication, commitment and long-term goals
Sina-Maria trains five days a week – often in the early hours before school starts with her schedule including regular gym work and throwing practice.
She’s also in the Year 8 Dio ‘A’ Basketball team and plays weekly matches on a Friday evening. She’d also like to give women’s rugby a go one day, if her schedule allows!
When she’s not involved in her many sporting activities, Sina-Maria loves art, reading and writing in her journal. She has plans to become a vet once she leaves school, but for now, she remains steadfastly committed to the job in hand.
“Every month I set new goals for training and school and also to become a better person in general,” she says.
“My long-term goal is to compete in the Olympics.
“I’m currently throwing 13m in the 4kg category and the qualifying throw is usually 18 to 19m to make it into the top 32 women in the world, so I’ve got a way to go. But I’m determined!”
In the meantime, Sina-Maria has her sights set on making the New Zealand team to compete in the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Africa, in October 2026.
We all wish her well!
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