MAHINA Paul can remember studying the Olympics back at Te Kura o Te Paroa – now she’s about to compete in them.

It’s an awesome achievement for Paul, who has continued to make massive strides in the sevens arena since she first played about six years ago.

She joined the Black Ferns in 2019 following impressive performances at the Red Bull Ignite Sevens and national sevens, and made an instant impression on her debut, racing away to score the winning try in extra time against England at the Cape Town Sevens.

Paul, 23, missed out on the playing squad in Tokyo, going as a travelling reserve, so used that and an injury-plagued 2023 season to spur her on this year.

“I am pretty stoked. We found out properly last Friday and I could tell my immediate family, but it was released to everyone on June 20, so I am happy to have made it.

“It was actually cool to have a few of the young Poroporo JAB boys come along to the event on Thursday when the team got named and I’m proud to represent Poroporo, and Mum and Dad.”

She said last year wasn’t her best due to injury, and it meant she missed a lot of touring opportunities.

“I was injured quite a bit and didn’t get those chances to tour with the girls. So, it’s awesome to look forward 12 months and see my name in the team for the Olympics. It was more niggles than anything, but this year it has been much more successful for me. The older I am getting, I am becoming more used to recovery and getting the off-field recovery right.”

They head to France today to begin preparations for Paris where the Black Ferns 7s team will be looking to defend their gold medal from Tokyo.

Paul has been getting plenty of game time this season, which she has enjoyed.

“I have been to every tournament this year. It has just been cool growing every tournament.

“You get different learnings and then you come back from tour and train again and then you go again. Carrying each learning into each tournament and getting better each time has been exciting.”

Teammates have told her a bit of what to expect, but it has been limited as Tokyo was like no other Olympic Games due to Covid-19 and there were no crowds present.

“Can’t really compare Tokyo to anything because of Covid, but I live with Risi Pouri-Lane, and she was showing me what it looks like in the village and that sort of stuff. It’s exciting.”

With the sevens right at the beginning of the Olympic schedule, Paul isn’t sure if they will get the chance to watch many of the other New Zealanders compete.

“We will pretty much play our three days of games then we virtually come back to New Zealand. I don’t know if we have time to watch any of the other sports.”

Paul, who is known for her speed and agility on the field, loves donning the fern whenever she gets the opportunity, and is proud of her sevens journey to date.

“It’s been cool seeing my own growth when I came into the team six years ago. You kind of like just wait your turn and to see how far I have come is pretty cool.

“I never thought I would be in this position today, but I do remember at Paroa School and studying the Beijing Games, so to be announced in the actual team for an Olympic Games is pretty surreal.

“All the tournaments I have been to are special. I get to wear my last name on my back of my jersey; that’s always special. The Olympics are the pinnacle of sport, and this one is going to be even more special for myself and my family.”

Gold is their target.

“Our last tournament in Spain didn’t go how we wanted, and it has kind of fuelled the fire for us to do well.”

There could be a few players competing at their last Olympics, so they want to finish on a high.

Her mum and dad won’t be attending, and sister Mererangi will likely be tied up with the Black Ferns 15s squad, but there will be plenty of people shouting and cheering for Mahina, whether it is back home in the Eastern Bay, at the Poroporo clubrooms or throughout New Zealand.

“I know they are pretty stoked for us; they like to sit back and watch us from home, but deep down I know they are proud and it’s pretty cool that me and Mere can do that for them.

“It’s pretty cool to represent our small town and region, like Stace (Waaka) is as well.”

Rūātoki’s Waaka is also part of the women’s team named for Paris.

The women’s team are in action from July 28-30 in Paris.

Meanwhile, in the men’s team is Ōpōtiki’s Dylan Collier and Rūātoki’s Ngarohi McGarvey-Black. Their campaign runs from July 24-27.