Year 12 ākonga Zack Gibbins has achieved a remarkable feat by winning a silver medal at the IBJJF Pan Pacific Jiu-Jitsu Championships held in Melbourne, Australia.

Jiu-Jitsu athlete returns from Australia with silver medal

Year 12 ākonga Zack Gibbins has achieved a remarkable feat by winning a silver medal at the IBJJF Pan Pacific Jiu-Jitsu Championships held in Melbourne, Australia.

Zack participated in two fights during the competition, winning his semi-final match but facing the same opponent again in the finals, where he earned his silver medal. Reflecting on his experience, Zack shared, “It was really good to fight there; it gives me a level to work towards and an idea of how well I can perform against other people overseas.”

His achievement highlights not only his skills but also the importance of resilience. Zack emphasized that “every loss was not a time for disappointment, but a boost to keep working and be better than I was before.” This mindset is crucial for growth and improvement in any competitive field. Zack's success serves as an inspiration to other ākonga at Orewa College, demonstrating that same resilience can lead to international recognition in sports.