From a young girl with a passion for speed to a double Olympic gold medalist and one of the greatest try-scorers in rugby sevens history, Michaela Blyde’s journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and sheer talent. The New Zealand star has shattered records, won multiple world titles, and redefined excellence in the sport.
Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up with Michaela Blyde, New Zealand professional rugby sevens player and double Olympic gold medalist.
She opens up about the heartbreak of missing the Rio Olympics, the mindset shifts that led her to back-to-back World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year titles, and what it takes to stay at the top of her game. Join us as we dive into the training, discipline, and determination that fuel her success on and off the field.
Awards And Honours:
- 2017, Canada Sevens Langford dream team.
- 2017, World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year.
- 2018, World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year.
- 2018, Taranaki Sports Awards Sportswoman of the Year and Overall Sportsperson of the Year.
- 2019, Australian Women’s Sevens performance tracker player of the round.
- 2021, Joint winner of Taranaki Daily News Person of the Year 2021 with Gayle Broughton.
- 2023, Member of that years women’s rugby sevens dream team.
After graduating she studied for a Certificate in Animal Care at Otago Polytechnic in Dunedin. In 2014 she commenced a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise through correspondence at Massey University. Her younger brothers, Liam and Cole were academy rugby players with Taranaki, Liam went on to be selected for a development project for the men’s Sevens team before playing for the Taranaki Bulls in 2021.
Representing New Zealand Women’s rugby sevens
Representing New Zealand Women’s Rugby Sevens
Olympic Games:
- Gold medal – First place 2024 Paris Team competition
- Gold medal – First place 2020 Tokyo Team competition
Commonwealth Games:
- Gold medal – First place 2018 Gold Coast Team competition
- Bronze Medal– Third place 2022 Birmingham Team competition
Rugby World Cup Sevens:
- Gold Medal- First place 2018 San Francisco Team competition
- Silver Medal– Second place 2022 Cape Town Team competition
Discover the resilience, speed, and passion behind her historic wins in our exclusive interview. A champion’s mindset unveiled!
Namita Nayyar:
You were born in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You attended New Plymouth Girls High School. From 2009 to 2013 you competed in athletics in the 100 meters, 200 meters and long jump. You started playing rugby at the age of five years, and joined local rugby club, Clifton. Alongside representing New Zealand you played for your school in the 2013 Condor Sevens, which was the first time New Plymouth Girls High had fielded a team in this National Secondary Schools Rugby Sevens competition. You were named Player of the Tournament and were also selected for the tournament team. This later propelled your career to the height where you have been at the top of the world as a women rugby player. Tell us more about your professional journey of exceptional hard work, tenacity, and endurance?
Michaela Blyde:
When I was first named in the New Zealand Women’s 7s squad in 2012, I was still at school so I was juggling the balance of training plus school plus homework. It was tricky but with the support of my parents I was able to graduate high school and still receive a training contract. But my love for professional sport started when I was 5 years old. I had a dream of competing at the Olympic Games and win gold in the 100m and 200m, so I would vision myself doing just that every time I competed at athletics track events. I also loved the feeling of getting fitter, faster and stronger so I would train after school either with my siblings and Mum at home, or have team sports training after school when I was playing football.
My parents are dairy farmers in Taranaki which means no days off, so I was used to seeing hard work every day as my parents epitomized what it means to work hard to put food on the table. They always encouraged me and my brothers to do the extras to make sure we were ahead of everyone else.
Namita Nayyar:
It is a dream for a rugby player to play in the Olympics. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, You scored seven tries in five matches, including in the final, which New Zealand won, earning you a gold medal. Tell us more about this spectacular achievement of yours?
Michaela Blyde:
It was the moment my 20 year old (at the time) dream came true. All the hard work that I put in to win an Olympic Gold paid off so it was a very overwhelming feeling, I immediately thought about that 5 year old Michaela who had a big dream and didn’t let anyone tell her it wasn’t possible. I had my ups and downs, non-selections, injuries, but I kept my goals focused on the bigger picture and just simply never gave up. But I also wasn’t fully satisfied winning a gold medal in front of no one due to COVID restrictions so I was also very hungry to do the hard work all over again to try winning another one in Paris 2024. I also felt like I didn’t play my best rugby so I was also very determined to be better physically and mentally for Paris.
Full Interview is Continued on Next Page
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