Please help me represent NZ at the Oceania Judo Champs in Tonga

Hi everyone! My name is Cristyn Jones, I am 16 years old, and have recently been honoured with being selected to represent New Zealand in the 2017 Oceania champs in Tonga. I need your help to get me there!

I started doing judo just over two years ago and after only one month of training I entered my first tournament. I was up against some very experienced players and got absolutely pummelled. I went home battered, and sore but determined to come back stronger and succeed. I set myself a goal to win the National championships. I sought out extra training and worked hard. Within a year I had won the North Island champs, South Island Champs and achieved my goal of winning the National Champs.

The next year I moved up a weight grade and an age group from Juniors to cadets. There were no expectations to do so well this year but this only drove me to train harder and succeed. I started 2016 by competing overseas and winning the Queensland international open. I went on to win many other competitions including, the North and South Island champs, Auckland international champs and I ended the year winning the National championships for the second consecutive year .

The start of this year I was selected again to represent NZ at the Oceania Judo champs in Tonga. I kicked off the competitive Judo season fighting in Australia at the Queensland International Open and won gold in the cadet women and junior women.

I am very committed to my judo. I train Judo 5 times a week and supplement this with extra strength and fitness training 2-3 times per week. However, no matter how I hard work I also understand and appreciate the support of others; the encouragement and sacrifices made by my family, the patience and teaching of my coaches and mentors, the hard work and inspiration of training partners and the patronage of people who believe in me.

I am committed to my ultimate goal to represent NZ at the highest level possible in Judo. For me to achieve this I need to train and complete on an international level.

This next stage of my journey starts with me representing NZ in Tonga. From there I am planning to secure some overseas training, probably in Japan and or Hungary. My long term goals are to represent NZ at the 2022 Commonwealth and 2024 Olympic games.

To train and complete at this level requires a huge amount of determination and resources. This represents a huge disadvantage for NZ athletes completing on the world stage as other competitive nations provide their athletes with the necessary resources.

There are no resources available to me, my judo is completely self funded. I have relied on the dedication and support of my family, friends and coaches.

To achieve what I need and advance my Judo to the next level is well beyond my reach. This is why I am asking for the support of my friends and anyone else with a passion for helping others realise their potential.

All donations will be used exclusively to help fund overseas competition and training.

Thanks for your support and I promise to do New Zealand proud!

Noteworthy achievements:

-2015-

Waikato Bay of Plenty Open- silver, bronze

Auckland international Open - silver

North Island Champioships- gold, bronze

South Island Championships- gold, bronze

NZ Nationals- gold, bronze

-2016-

Selected for NZ Judo Team - Oceania champs (but could not attend)

Queensland International open- gold (cadet women) bronze (junior women)

Canterbury open- 2 x Gold (cadet women)

Waikato Bay of Plenty Open- 2 x gold (cadet women) 2 x silver (junior women)

Auckland international Open- gold (cadet women), silver (junior women)

North island Championships- gold (cadet women), silver (cadet women)

South Island Championships – gold (cadet women)

National Championships- 2 x gold (cadet women)

-2017-

Selected for NZ Team Oceania champs

Queensland International open- gold (cadet women) gold (junior women)

Nippon Judo Club honours

-2015-

Best overall junior player of the year

Overall player of the year

-2016-

Best judo player of the year

Best female judoka

Cadet player of the year

Hibiscus Coast best Judoka