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Despite her busy post-Games calendar, Alicia made sure to prioritise helping out with the kayaking at the recent New Zealand Association of Intermediate and Middle Schools (AIMS) Games in Tauranga. It’s an event close to her heart as it marked the beginning of her own sporting journey.

“I raced in a kayak for the very first time at the AIMS Games! Growing up in Gisborne, I tried every sport imaginable, especially anything water-related – life saving, kayaking, surfing and fishing. The passion was always there; it was just about finding what I wanted to spend more time doing. Kayaking felt like a perfect fit, especially since my older sister was doing it and I wanted to be like her,” she laughs.

Alicia’s passion and commitment led her to Auckland, where she joined the high-performance squad and eventually competed in two Games. Unlike her Tokyo experience, where she competed without family support, her time in Paris saw her loved ones cheering her on from the stands.

“Having my sister and family there was incredibly special. Competing on that international stage connects me to a bigger purpose. We were all committed to building the mana of the black boat and having that goal for myself made it a more meaningful journey.”

In the lead up to Paris, Alicia spent four months in Europe with a tight-knit team of six athletes and three support staff.

“It was the longest overseas tour I’ve ever done. Just a week after the Games, we were all texting each other because we missed living together! Those special relationships are what make it so memorable, and I have memories that I’ll still be laughing about when we’re all 80 years old.”

Throughout the event, Alicia found herself being reminded of the surreal nature of her experience.

“I went off all social media to limit my distractions but forgot to delete Sky Sport. Leaving for my race, I got a notification saying, ‘Lisa Carrington and Alicia Hoskin in the K2 gold medal race coming up in an hour!’ It hit me like oh my gosh, that’s me! It was hard to wrap my head around.”

Alicia’s journey with fellow Massey whānau member and canoeing partner Dame Lisa Carrington has come full circle since they first met when Alicia was 12.

“After Lisa won gold at the London Games, I asked her to sign my racing singlet since I had just started kayaking – I still have it! When I moved to Auckland at 18, I was so nervous for my first K2, but Lisa was great at distracting me with stories to calm me down. We’ve come a long way since then, and it’s been a privilege to work with and learn from her.”

Following two gold wins in Paris, Alicia is now sharing the spirit of the Games with her community by visiting schools and connecting with those who have supported her journey.

“This medal isn’t just mine, so I want to celebrate it with everyone! It’s been a lot of fun and soon I’ll dive back into training for the Games in Los Angeles.”

Alongside her athletic endeavours, Alicia is committed to pursing a with Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa ������Դ. She has found a passion for learning how sport can be a vehicle to create positive change within communities.

“Whether it’s at a school level or an adult level, it’s incredible to see how powerful sport can be in helping people find belonging and connection. I couldn’t keep up with study when travelling overseas before I made the move to Massey, but now I have greater flexibility and the lecturers have been great at helping me figure out how I can fit things in around travel and competing. It’s made a massive difference in my journey. I’m really grateful as I don’t think I could’ve studied otherwise and now I’m setting myself up for life post-competing.”

Alicia says she enjoys the variety of learning opportunities her degree offers.

“I’ve enjoyed studying Māori health, leadership and professional development. I’m learning skills from a wide range of outlets, which helps me refine my interests. What I’m learning is helping me in my life and in my sport, and I’ve definitely picked up some new passions along the way.”

Despite her busy schedule, Alicia prioritises recovery, nutrition and rest. When she has downtime, she enjoys pottery, a hobby that taps into her creative side.

“I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m very good at it, but I have loved learning about it and getting my hands dirty. It’s almost like a mindfulness practice!”

For fellow student athletes navigating the pressures of sport and academics, Alica urges them to take ego and what other people think out of the picture.

“Everyone’s path will look different, but for me, finding a way to move forward with both my sporting career and my study – even if I’m only doing one paper a semester – has allowed me to put my heart and soul into my goals. It’s all about finding a balance that works for you and surrounding yourself with people who support you and understand your journey.”