Olivia Selemaia took silver at the junior world champs in Peru. Photo: Bilbo / supplied
Weightlifter Olivia Selemaia and swimmer Hazel Ouwehand are the 2025 recipients of the Yvette Williams Scholarships.
The scholarships, which were first awarded in 2016, are given to athletes who show significant promise.
The award is inspired by New Zealand's first female Olympic gold medallist.
Nineteen-year-old Selemaia won a silver medal at the junior world weightlifting championships this year and is currently ranked eighth in the world and second in the Commonwealth.
"This scholarship makes things a lot easier as competitions are expensive to get to and prepare for. Now I can put all my focus on training and improving as an athlete," said Selemaia.
In the next few years Selemaia will hopefully compete at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and will also attempt to qualify for the 2028 LA Olympic Games.
"In the past I've done weightlifting workshops, raffles, even Givealittle pages to get to overseas competitions. My community has always been amazing, including my private donors who I'm very grateful for, but this scholarship means I can focus more on lifting and less on logistics," said Selemaia.
Hazel Ouwehand at the 2025 New Zealand Swimming Championships. Photo: Steen Bech / www.photosport.nz
Hazel Ouwehand competed at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and has swum at three world championships.
She is currently ranked in the world top 10 in her key event, the 50m butterfly.
Ouwehand found out about her scholarship poolside before a training session.
"This scholarship has really opened some doors, the doors that were creaking a bit before! In the past, things just wouldn't happen if I didn't have the money. Now, I can plan my year better and do the extras like altitude training to get me in peak condition for events," Ouwehand said.
Ouwehand balances elite sport with a career as an accountant.
Selemaia will receive $60,000 for the 2025 - 2028 quadrennial to LA2028 Olympic Games.
Ouwehand will receive $30,000 for 2025 - 2026 to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
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