STORM URU

"Consistent dedication and commitment are what I seek to apply towards reaching my goals: those hallmarks need to be evident every day as I am consistently seeking the edge. I am always searching and trying different and radical ideas in my quest to become the best."

Albie Pryor Memorial Maori Sportsman of the Year 2007 (the supreme award)

Storm and his lightweight doubles partner Peter Taylor had a rollercoaster year accumulating in qualifying for the Beijing Olympics at the “regatta of death” in Poland in July. Together this young combination showed speed and grit through there European campaign which saw them grab a silver medal at the 2^nd world cup regatta in Lucerne. At Beijing they finished a creditable 7^th in an extremely competitive field and learned invaluable experience to push towards greater achievements in the future.

Twice world under-23 rowing champion, Storm Uru is now aged 23. Is originally from Invercargill, he is now based with the national rowing squad at Cambridge. He also has been Maori Sportsman of the Year the past two years, at the November 2007 ceremony  additionally taking the supreme award as Maori Sportsperson of the Year and also a world champions award.

After a successful year he is adjusting his sights to the 2009 World Championships at Poland in August 2009, and is already looking beyond there to London in 2012.

"Somewhere in there I also aim to attend Harvard or Oxford Business School to study towards an MBA," says Storm.

He has already graduated Bachelor of Science, in Chemistry and also Bachelor of Business Studies, in Finance.

You think that’s a lot of rowing talent to bestow upon the Uru family? There’s more! Younger brother Jade is also a top rower. He is based in Cambridge and pushing towards a spot in the elite team for the next World Champs. He was nominated for the Maori Junior Sportsman of Year award 2007.