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The final hurdle to the Olympics

$1,004 of $11,000 goal
Given by 13 generous donors in 7 weeks

Fundraiser for Oceania and Olympic Qualifier

International

Coming off the back of a 5th place finish at the Commonwealth Games in 2022 I was on a high. A couple of days and one new shoulder later I was looking at months of rehab. Pair this with only 1 and a half years until Olympic qualification and things were bleak. Through sheer determination and a willingness to do whatever it takes I set out in May for a trip that has spanned 4 continents & 8 countries in 7 months in order to improve and learn as much as I could. This has put me in a position to now compete at the Oceania Championship in Guam and then the Oceania African Olympic Qualifier to be held in Egypt. While I've been fortunate enough to have some costs covered by sponsors, I've exhausted all my savings to get me to this point. In a minority sport with no funding from the National Federation or Government it is a tough road to throw yourself into training full time with no possibility of earning money along the way. Here's where you can help; with costs for Oceania reaching $5,000 and the Olympic Qualifier in Egypt costing $6,000, my budget is stretched to the limit. These costs include: flights, accommodation, tournament fees, transport and medicals. If you are able to contribute then I would be more than grateful for your support.

Use of funds

Costs for Oceania Championships in Guam and Olympic Qualifiers in Egypt, such as flights, accommodation, tournament fees, transport and medicals.

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Latest update

Update  17 January 2024

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for your support so far! It's been awesome to see how many people are out there supporting me from all over the world. The plan for the next couple of weeks prior to competing is consisting of a test cut to 65kg, returning to NZ, taking part in a mental performance intensive and continuing training until we depart for Guam on the 3rd of February.

The reasoning for the test cut to 65kg is simple. I haven't been 65kg since I was 12 years old so the feeling when I get to it will be that of a depleted state. In order to acclimate myself to that weight and the feeling of being that weight, the easiest method to do is to actually make the weight and wrestle hard. This is so we can utilise information learned from this first cut to make minor changes, so that when I compete at Oceania I'll be ready.

My time here in LA has been useful and informative for my training, I'm still learning everyday and I'm still enjoying the process everyday (some days more than others). For now I'll continue cutting weight and training hard.

Thanks,

Cole

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Latest donations

Codie
Codie on 18 Jan 2024
Keep doing you 💪🏽
$60
Evelyn
Evelyn on 11 Jan 2024
Good luck from NI!
Private
Peter and Sonya
Peter and Sonya on 07 Jan 2024
All the best in your journey to Paris
$50
Kevin
Kevin on 07 Jan 2024
Best of Luck ! Make things happen, don't watch things happen!!!!
$50
Lynne
Lynne on 07 Jan 2024
Good luck Cole
$50

Who's involved?

Cole Hawkins's avatar
Created by, and paying to a verified bank account of, Cole Hawkins
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This campaign started on 6 Jan 2024 and ended on 29 Feb 2024.