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Wrestler Tayla Ford is heading for her third Commonwealth Games.
Glasgow Commonwealth Games bronze medal wrestler Tayla Ford (Tayla Ford) almost pulled the pin on her sports career six months ago. Her lack of competition, and the missed opportunity to go to the Tokyo Olympics caused by Covid-19, led to Bruce’s seizures and lack of motivation.
She even told the New Zealand Olympic Committee that she wasn’t interested in being a candidate for Birmingham. But thankfully she was able to regain her sparks with the help of a sports psychologist. In July, she heads for her third Commonwealth Games, looking to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Born 29-year-old Nelson, raised in Christchurch, and an Adelaide-based athlete, he also manages four tasks to achieve his goals. She works for eco-friendly small house cleaning, wrestling coaches, various health food companies and vegan food companies. Competing in wrestling is not a cheesy pursuit, but she is optimistic about the future of sports.
She answers some questions from Zoë George.
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Tayla Ford won the bronze medal at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games
Q: Glasgow bronze. Will you lose money or get copper?
It’s evil to be in second place, but you have to lose to win that medal. A few weeks ago, I won a bronze medal at the Jiu-Jitsu Asia and Oceania competitions. I was very happy. The girl who turned silver wasn’t too excited or happy!
Q: Wait a minute, are you doing Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling?
I’ve been doing that for the last three years because I was the only one wrestling in Adelaide and needed cross-competition with other women. Jiu-Jitsu is the closest to wrestling. There were a few girls when I started, but I was scared and kept pulling out, so I couldn’t even get a rival in Jiu-Jitsu...
Q: Are you scared?
Not scary! They keep saying I’m scared. Maybe it’s my cauliflower!
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Q: Do you have cauliflower ears?
(Glasgow) I was 21 when I got them during my CommGames training. After winning the medal, I had to put a big bandage around my head. I didn’t hear anything.
I like mine I have a cute one! Most people blow it off at the top of their ears … blasted near my ear canal.
When they take you to the headlock position … or when you face each other, you try to keep your head away, but that’s where friction comes and breaks your ears.
The worst thing is that you can do potash with potash. It hurts. They are hard. I was able to poke someone with my ears!
Q: Who do you actually train for?
Just a man. He has been training together since he started wrestling. I don’t like losing boys! I am good at recognizing the body. I’m pretty strong with women. If a man is stronger or bigger than me, I will do more tactical wrestling. If it is the same size, we will engage.
I’m not too worried about my safety, and I have good pain tolerance. Women are more flexible than men … I have to work harder to get over women. You also need mental strength.mental [strength] It’s about 80% of sports.
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Tyra Ford is training men because of the shortage of women in sports.
Q: Why are you wrestling?
When I moved to Christchurch in 2000, women’s wrestling came to the Olympics, which made it a big deal. I started when Dad knew that women could do it, and he let me do it! If I still want to do it, he gave me a choice at the age of 16. I didn’t have anything else I wanted to do, so I continued. I’m glad. I love the friendship and personality of sports.
Q: When did you realize that you were really good at it?
There was a girl who kept hitting me. Then one competition I beat her. Everyone complained that the reason I won was because she was injured. Then I hit her again. She could no longer use the injury as an excuse. Then I beat Oceania and beat Oceania’s face when she was her senior and Olympic athlete. I was 17 years old.
Q: What are you most looking forward to about Birmingham Commonwealth Games?
Catch up with everyone. I have been here (Australia) for 5 years. I can’t meet many people here, so I’m excited to be in more kiwis.
Q: What are the realistic goals of the game?
I want to win gold, I really do. I aim to earn money, be proactive and do my best.