Trish Vaka

Last updated

Trish Vaka
Birth namePatricia Amelia Vaka
Date of birth (1986-05-17) 17 May 1986 (age 38)
Place of birthOkaihau, New Zealand
Height170 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Weight86 kg (190 lb)
School Okaihau College
Occupation(s)Professional boxer
Rugby union player
Personal trainer
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker/Lock
Current team Northland Kauri
Amateur team(s)
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2014 - Present Kaikohe RFC ()
Provincial / State sides
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2019 - Present Northland Kauri 30 (15)

Patricia Amelia Vaka (born 17 May 1986) is a New Zealand professional rugby union player and professional boxer. [1] [2]

Contents

In 2019, the Northland women's rugby team known as the Northland Kauri made their debut in the Women's Provincial Championship, now known as the Farah Palmer Cup. Vaka was named one of the original founding players for Northland in the Championships. [3] In 2023, the Northland Kauri won their first Farah Palmer Cup Championship. [4]

As a professional boxer, she has fought some of the world's best boxers in Australasia including retired WBO light heavyweight champion Geovana Peres, two division IBF World champion Lani Daniels and world title contender Desley Robinson. Vaka has peaked at 4th on Boxrec and 7th on the WBC World Heavyweight Rankings. [5]

Rugby union

Kaikohe rugby

In 2022, Vaka played four games for the Kaikohe women's rugby team, with one bye and a game that was deemed a draw, however did not take place due to COVID. [6] [7] Vaka scored one try within the first minute against HH Women Rugby Team. [8] Kaikohe won one out of the four games of the season. [9]

Northland Kauri

In 2019, Northland reached the semi-finals, playing against Hawkes Bay. Vaka was named the number 4 for the game. [10] [11] Hawkes Bay won the game with a score of 46–31. [12]

In 2020, Vaka was named in the Northland Kauri team, however the team did not reach the finals this year. [13]

On 20 August 2022, Vaka played for Northland against Taranaki at TET Stadium & Events Centre. 56 minutes and 35 seconds into the game, Vaka scored her first try of her Farah Palmer Cup career. [14] Northland won the game by 29 - 15. [15] In September 2022, Northland Reached the semi-finals, playing against Hawkes Bay for the third time. Vaka was named the number 2 for the game. [16] Hawkes Bay won the game with a score of 28–19. [17]

On 19 August 2023, Vaka came off the bench to score her second try with the Northland Kauri team against Tasman. [18] In September 2023, The Northland Kauri won their first Championships. [19]

On 1 September 2024, Northland Kauri announced on social media that Vaka played her 30th game with the team and in the Farah Palmer Cup. [20]

Playing achievements

YearNorthland (NPC)AwardsCareer Highlight
2019Semi FinalsDebut appearance
20203rd on the StandingsFirst Try of her career
2021Semi Finals
20223rd on the Standings
2023ChampionsChampions
2024Last on the standings

Boxing

Trish Vaka
NationalityNew Zealand
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Light Heavyweight
Super Middleweight
Middleweight
Height170 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Boxing record [21]
Total fights12
Wins1
Wins by KO1
Losses8
Draws2
No contests1

fighting some of the best

On 1 September 2017, Vaka made her professional boxing debut against Lani Daniels. [22] Daniels won the fight by unanimous decision. [23] In her third fight of her professional career, Vaka took on Geovana Peres for the vacant New Zealand national (PBCNZ version) light heavyweight title. Peres won the fight by unanimous decision. [24] In November 2017, Vaka took on Daniels in a rematch for the vacant New Zealand national (NZPBA version) light heavyweight title. Daniels won the fight by unanimous decision. [25] In August 2018, Vaka made her Australian debut when she took on undefeated Natalie Jenkinson. Vaka received her first victory of her professional boxing career, winning the fight by 2nd-round knockout. After the fight she receive a ranking of 8th in the world on Boxrec. [26] In December 2018, Vaka took on Peres in a rematch. This was a fight before Peres went on to win the world light heavyweight title. Peres won the fight by unanimous decision. [27] Despite her loss, she still maintained a ranking of 10th on Boxrec. [28] In November 2019, Vaka fought on the Geovana Peres vs. Claire Hafner world title undercard making her New Zealand television debut. [29] She took on undefeated Australian boxer Desley Robinson. [30] Robinson won the fight by Unanimous Decision. [31] Outside of competing, Vaka is a boxing professional trainer. [32]

Comeback

In November 2023, it was announced that Vaka would make her in ring return on the dual world title undercard that would happen at McKay Stadium in Whangarei, New Zealand. [33] She will be taking on London resident New Zealander, Roseanna Cox. [34] The fight was an 83kg catchweight fight. [35] Cox won the fight by unanimous decision. [36] On March 2024, Vaka took on Tinta Smith for the New Zealand crusierweight title, a weight division rarely seen in womens boxing worldwide. [37] The fight ended in a split decision draw. [38] After losing to Desley Robinson in her first stoppage loss, she would take on combat sports star Genah Fabian in her televised debut, drawing by Majority Decision. [39]

Professional boxing record

12 fights1 win8 losses
By knockout11
By decision07
Draws2
No contests1
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
12Draw1–8–2 (1) Genah Fabian MD414 Sep 2024Viaduct Events Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
11Loss1–8–1 (1)Desley RobinsonTKO6 (6) 1:1111 May 2024Greek Club, Brisbane, Australiavacant Australasian (ANBF version) Super Middleweight title
10Draw1–7–1 (1)Tinta SmithSD816 Mar 2024Te Rapa Racecourse, Hamilton, New Zealandinugural New Zealand national (PBCNZ version) Crusierweight title
9Loss1–7 (1)Roseanna CoxUD62 Dec 2023McKay Stadium, Whangarei, New Zealand
8Loss1–6 (1)Desley RobinsonUD44 Oct 2019SkyCity, Auckland, New Zealand
7Loss1–5 (1) Geovana Peres UD66 Dec 2018Ellerslie Event Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
6Loss1–4 (1)Tessa TualevaoUD630 Nov 2018ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
5Win1–3 (1)Natalie JenkinsonKO2 (4), 0:4911 Aug 2018Seagulls Rugby League Club, Tweed Heads, NSW, Australia
4Loss0–3 (1) Lani Daniels UD818 Nov 2017Cambridge Raceway, Cambridge, New ZealandFor vacant New Zealand National (NZPBA version) Light Heavyweight title
3Loss0–2 (1)Geovana PeresUD813 Oct 2017 ABA Stadium, Auckland, New ZealandFor vacant New Zealand National (PBCNZ version) Light Heavyweight title
2NC0–1 (1)Tessa TualevaoNC49 Sep 2017Kaitaia, New ZealandOriginally declared Vaka as the winner, the decision was later change to a No Contest due to referee who was also acting as a judge failed to score two out of four rounds
1Loss0–1 Lani Daniels UD41 Sep 2017AMI Netball Centre St Johns, Auckland, New Zealand

Awards and recognitions

Personal life

Vaka is of Māori descent, and affiliates to Ngāpuhi. [45]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaikohe</span> Town in the Northland Region of New Zealand

Kaikohe is the seat of the Far North District of New Zealand, situated on State Highway 12 about 260 kilometres (160 mi) from Auckland, and about 85 kilometres (53 mi) from Whangārei. It is the largest inland town and highest community above sea level in the Northland Region. With a population of over 4000 people, Kaikohe is a shopping and service centre for an extensive farming district and is sometimes referred to as "the hub of the north".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dean Lonergan</span> New Zealand boxing promoter

Dean Robert Lonergan is a former New Zealand boxing promoter and rugby league player. With Duco founder David Higgins, Lonergan had success promoting world champion boxers Joseph Parker and Jeff Horn. With his son Liam, he promoted Jai Opetaia, Lani Daniels and Mea Motu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Portia Woodman</span> New Zealand rugby union player (born 1991)

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe is a New Zealand rugby union player. She plays fifteen-a-side and seven-a-side rugby union, and was a member of the New Zealand women's national rugby sevens team and New Zealand women's national rugby union team. Woodman was a member of the New Zealand Women's Sevens team that won a silver medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and gold medals at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. She retired from international sevens rugby after the Paris Olympics.

John Conway is a retired professional boxer and kickboxer. Conway biggest boxing bout of his career was challenging for the WBO Asia Pacific light heavyweight title against Soulan Pownceby in June 2011. Conway has peaked at 11th on the WBO Asia Pacific Rankings. Conway started his boxing career in the amateur in 1986. If you combine his amateur, professional boxing and kickboxing fight, Conway has had 182 fights.

Nailini Inaise Vae Helu is a professional boxer who lives in New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alrie Meleisea</span> New Zealand boxer (born 1992)

Alrie Meleisea is a New Zealand professional boxer and MMA fighter. Meleisea is a world title contender where she fought for the IBF World Heavyweight title against Lani Daniels in 2023. Meleisea lost the fight by Unanimous decision. Despite the loss, she became the first female pasifika boxer to fight for a world boxing title. Meleisea is a two time New Zealand Heavyweight Champion and a former UBF Asia Pacific heavyweight champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geovana Peres</span> New Zealand boxer

Geovana De Cassia Peres is a Brazilian-born New Zealand professional Muay Thai fighter and former professional boxer who competed from 2017 to 2019. She became the first female light-heavyweight world champion, having held the WBO female title from 2019 until her retirement in January 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lani Daniels</span> New Zealand boxer

Te Arani Moana "Lani" Daniels is a New Zealand professional boxer who became the first New Zealand-born boxer of Māori descent to become a two-division world boxing champion. She has held the IBF female heavyweight title between May and December 2023, and the IBF Light Heavyweight title since December 2023. She is the fourth boxer of Maori descent to win a world boxing championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geovana Peres vs Lani Daniels II</span> Boxing competition

Geovana Peres vs Lani Daniels II, billed as History In The Making was a boxing rematch between Geovana Peres and Lani Daniels. It took place on 30 March 2019 at SkyCity Convention Centre in Auckland, New Zealand. Peres won the contest by Unanimous decision with two judges scoring the card 98 - 92 and one judge 96 - 94. The fight was considered to be one of the most anticipated sporting events in New Zealand as two New Zealand Boxers fighting for on major World Boxing Title. Geovana Peres is known as the first ever person from the LGBT community to win a New Zealand Professional Boxing title, holding the New Zealand National Boxing Federation and Professional Boxing Commission New Zealand Light Heavyweight Titles. Even though she is Brazilian born, Geovana is a New Zealand citizen and proudly represents New Zealand. Lani Daniels holds the New Zealand Professional Boxing Association Light Heavyweight title and Pro Box NZ Super Middleweight title. She represents her Iwi the Ngāti Hine. She is the second New Zealand Born female to be fighting for a major World title. The first being Daniella Smith, who is from the same hometown as Lani Daniels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geovana Peres vs. Claire Hafner</span>

Geovana Peres vs Claire Hafner was a world title fight that took place on 4 October 2019 at SkyCity Convention Centre in Auckland, New Zealand. Peres won the fight by referee stoppage between the 8th and 9th round. This was considered a history making moment as Geovana Peres was the first New Zealand female boxer to win and successfully defend a world title in her home country. Geovana Peres was also the first LGBT person representing New Zealand to hold a world boxing title. Claire Hafner was born in the USA but considers herself a Canadian. She came into the fight ranked first on Boxrec, above Geovana who was ranked second. The winner of the fight would also be recognized as the official Lineal World Heavyweight champion.

Claire Hafner is a Canadian professional boxer and opera singer. She challenged once for the WBO light heavyweight title in October 2019.

Sarah Long is a New Zealand professional boxer and kickboxer. She is the current NZPBA New Zealand national heavyweight champion. She has peaked in the world rankings when she ranked 10th in the World Boxing Council and 4th on BoxRec.

John Kevin Alipate Ahio, known professionally as Hemi Ahio, is a New Zealand born Tongan professional boxer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sequita Hemingway</span> New Zealand Maori boxer

Sequita Hemingway is a New Zealand professional boxer, rugby league and rugby union player. She is of Māori descent and identifies as a member of the Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Ngāi Tūhoe iwi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mea Motu</span> New Zealand Maori boxer

Marea Kirimiria Motu is a New Zealand Maori Professional Boxer.

Jerome Mandela Joseph-Pampellone is an English born, New Zealand raised professional boxer. He participated in the 2019 AIBA World Boxing Championships as an amateur and won three New Zealand national elite championships between 2018 and 2020. Pampellone narrowly missed qualifying for the 2020 Summer Olympics after failing to place at the Olympic Qualification Tournament for 2020 in Asia and Oceania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lani Daniels vs Alrie Meleisea</span> Boxing competition

Lani Daniels vs Alrie Meleisea, billed as Next World Champion was a boxing fight between Lani Daniels and Alrie Meleisea. It took place on 27 May 2023 at Eventfinda Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. This fight made history for being the first World title between two New Zealand-born boxers and the first World title between Maori and Pasifika people. Lani Daniels is well known for her first world title opportunity when she fought against Geovana Peres in their rematch dubbed History In The Making. Daniels three New Zealand title including the NZPBA Light Heavyweight title, Pro Box New Zealand Light Heavyweight title and Pro Box New Zealand Super Middleweight title. She represents her Iwi the Ngāti Hine. She is the second New Zealand Born female to be fighting for a major World title. The first being Daniella Smith, who is from the same hometown as Lani Daniels. Alrie Meleisea is a New Zealand born Samoan who has won three titles in her career including the NZPBA Heavyweight title, UBF Asia Pacific title and Pro Box New Zealand title.

Isaac Peach is a New Zealand retired professional boxer, a current boxing coach and owner of Peach Boxing. Peach trained multiple talented boxers including IBO World Champion Mea Motu, World title contender David Light, World ranked Andrei Mikhailovich and World ranked Jerome Pampellone. Peach is well known to have the philosophy in his gym to have his boxers take on any opponent. Peach Boxing Gym is considered the best boxing gym in New Zealand, rivaling the status of City Kickboxing in MMA.

References

  1. ↑ "NORTHLAND RELISHING FARAH PALMER CUP OPPORTUNITY". All Blacks. 23 August 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  2. ↑ "2022 Media Guide". Provincial Rugby. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  3. ↑ "NORTHLAND RELISHING FARAH PALMER CUP OPPORTUNITY". All Blacks. 23 August 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  4. ↑ "NORTHLAND HEADED FOR PREMIERSHIP IN 2024". All Blacks. 10 September 2019. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  5. ↑ "WBC Heavyweight Womens rankings June 2024". WBC. 15 June 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  6. ↑ "Kaikohe vs Te Rarawa". Northland Rugby. 22 May 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  7. ↑ "Kaikohe vs Te Rarawa first game". Northland Rugby. 3 April 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  8. ↑ "Kaikohe vs HH Rugby". Northland Rugby. 8 May 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  9. ↑ "Kaikohe vs Motukohu". Northland Rugby. 8 April 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  10. ↑ "FARAH PALMER CUP: SEMIFINALS PREVIEW". Provincial Rugby NZ. 18 October 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  11. ↑ "FNorthland Kauri to take on Hawke's Bay Tui announced". Northland Ruby. 17 October 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  12. ↑ "Kauri take plenty away from season". Northern Age. 22 October 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  13. ↑ "NORTHLAND KAURI: PREVIEW 2020". All Blacks. 21 August 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  14. ↑ "Round 6 HIGHLIGHTS". All Blacks. 21 August 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  15. ↑ "FARAH PALMER CUP: ROUND 6 REVIEW". All Blacks. 21 August 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  16. ↑ "FARAH PALMER CUP SEMI FINAL!". Northland Rugby. 2 September 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  17. ↑ "Hawke's Bay Tui beat Northland Kauri 28-19 to make Farah Palmer Cup Championship final". Stuff NZ. 3 September 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  18. ↑ "FARAH PALMER CUP ROUND 6: TEAM LISTS". Provincial Rugby. 20 August 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  19. ↑ "FARAH PALMER CUP FINALS: TEAM LISTS". Provincial Rugby. 11 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  20. ↑ "Congratulations to Charmaine Smith and Steffi Hooson on playing their Blazer game on Sunday against Counties Manukau and a massive shout out to Patricia Vaka on hitting her 30 games milestone". Northland Rugby Union. 2 September 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  21. ↑ "Boxing record for". BoxRec .
  22. ↑ "The History of New Zealand Women's Heavyweight Boxing". Womens Boxing. 8 January 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  23. ↑ "Baby Nansen wins her first Pro Boxing Title". Womens Boxing. 2 September 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  24. ↑ "Brazilian boxer wins a second New Zealand title". Stuff NZ. 17 October 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  25. ↑ "Lani Daniels Defends NZPBA Championship on July 14th Against Nailini Helu". Women Of Boxing. 6 June 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  26. ↑ "Returning multi-code World Champion returns next week". Women Boxing. 28 September 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  27. ↑ "Geovana Peres Moves Through Trish Vaka to Maintain her Positioning for a Heavyweight Championship Bid". Women of Boxing. 6 December 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  28. ↑ "LESBIAN KIWI BOXER RANKED FIRST IN THE WORLD FOLLOWING WIN". Gay Express. 20 December 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  29. ↑ "The lonely road of a boxing world champ". Newsroom. 2 October 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  30. ↑ "Boxing: Canadian star arrives for WBO Light Heavyweight title shot against Geovana Peres". New Zealand Herald. 1 October 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  31. ↑ "Geovana Peres retains WBO light-heavyweight world title by beating Claire Hafner". Stuff NZ. 5 October 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  32. ↑ "Northland news in brief: WBHS logo approved, self-defence for women". Northern Advocate. 29 November 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  33. ↑ "Northland Kauri player Trish Vaka returns to boxing ring at Wahine Toa II". Northern Advocate. 10 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  34. ↑ "Big fight night featuring Mea Motu and Lani Daniels in Whangārei sold out". Northern Advocate. 7 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  35. ↑ "Boxing: Mea Motu, Lani Daniels make weight ahead of Wāhine Toa II fight night". Northern Advocate. 1 December 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  36. ↑ "Wins for Mea Motu, Lani Daniels on historic night in Whangarei". Stuff NZ. 2 December 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  37. ↑ "Boxing: Tinta Smith to take on Trish Vaka in Hamilton for national cruiserweight title". NZ Herald. 13 March 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  38. ↑ "Tinta Smith gets big rematch before televised fight". WBAN. 9 August 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  39. ↑ "Nyika continues rise through cruiserweight ranks with win over Tommy Karpency". RNZ. 15 September 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  40. ↑ "Northland sport stars honoured in Conbiro Northland Sports Awards". Northland Advocate. 22 December 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  41. ↑ "Lani Daniels wins Local Award". Ring News 24. 18 March 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  42. ↑ "2018 Winners Far North Sports Awards". Far North District Council. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  43. ↑ "FNDC Far North Sports Awards Finalists Named". Northland Sports. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  44. ↑ "Far North sport awards finalists named". Northern Age. 15 November 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  45. ↑ "Maori Female Boxers compete in different sports". Womens Boxing. 13 February 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.