May 02, 2024
Māori wrestling brings in tamariki
Promoters of a sport which fuses traditional Māori wrestling techniques with Brazilian jiu-jitsu expect between 100 and 150 competitors at the 10th national tournament in New Plymouth on Sunday.
Jayden Waiwiri, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt instructor, says every culture has its own martial arts and Māori wrestling, known as whātōtō, works well with the Brazillian approach.
He says the main objective of the tournament is whanaungatanga, and it’s always been a family affair.
“It’s always been the kids that really pump the mauri of the day all the way from five-year-olds up to our rangatahi, 16, 17 and to our adults as well, but the kids are the main point of our day,” Waiwiri says.