KONEFERENISI Barney

Wheelchair Rugby

Date of Birth: 9 Mar 1994

Age: 27

Gender: Male

Sport Class: 3.5

Place of residence : NEW ZEALAND

Events and Medals
Records
Schedule
Bio
General Interest
Milestones

Events and Medals

Discipline	Event	Rank	Medal
Wheelchair Rugby	Mixed NZL New Zealand	8

Schedule

Start Time	Location	Event	Status
	Yoyogi National Stadium	Mixed - Pool Phase Group B #01 USA United States 63 NZL New Zealand 35	Finished
	Yoyogi National Stadium	Mixed - Pool Phase Group B #08 GBR Great Britain 60 NZL New Zealand 37	Finished
	Yoyogi National Stadium	Mixed - Pool Phase Group B #12 NZL New Zealand 36 CAN Canada 51	Finished
	Yoyogi National Stadium	Mixed - 7th-8th classification #13 DEN Denmark 56 NZL New Zealand 53	Finished

Biographical Information

Highlights

Rank	Event	Year	Location
World Championships
8	Mixed	2014	Odense, DEN

Occupation:

Athlete, Motivational Speaker

Business, Law - Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand

Languages spoken:

Greg Mitchell [national]

He was introduced to the sport in 2009 after talking with New Zealand wheelchair rugby player Cameron Leslie at the NZ Artificial Limb Centre. (tvnz.co.nz, 16 Jul 2021; waateanews.com, 16 Jul 2021)

"When I was young, my dad wanted me to play for the All Blacks [New Zealand rugby union team]. I think most Pacific Islander parents dream for their son to play rugby, and then maybe get imported to Australia or maybe make the big time, like the All Blacks. I think my independence started when I started playing rugby. When I told my parents that there was a sport like rugby but in a wheelchair, they were happy." (attitudelive.com, 11 Aug 2019)

To compete at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. (tvnz.co.nz, 16 Jul 2021; stuff.co.nz, 16 Jul 2021)

In 2012 he received the Inspiration Award as part of the Prime Minister's Pacific Youth Awards in New Zealand. (rnz.co.nz, 10 Jan 2013; beehive.govt.nz. 14 Nov 2012)

General Interest

Classification
3.5 (IWRF, 08 Jul 2021)

Type of Impairment
Limb deficiency (attitudelive.com, 11 Aug 2019)

Origin of Impairment
Acquired (attitudelive.com, 11 Aug 2019)

Impairment Details
He contracted meningitis at four months old, which resulted in his right hand and parts of his left hand being amputated. After a number of complications as a child, at age 10 his left leg was amputated, and later his right leg. (attitudelive.com, 11 Aug 2019)

General
LATE CALL-UP
In July 2021, he was a late replacement in the New Zealand squad for the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo for Cameron Leslie, who withdrew due to family reasons. "I had no idea I was going to be the replacement player. It's always been a dream ever since I was a kid, trying to qualify for the 2012 Paralympics and not having any luck with that. Wheelchair rugby has been part of my life for such a long time now. I had originally decided not to aim for selection for Tokyo as I was focused on starting my own business, a ride share app for marginalised groups such as disabled people, women and people with pets. With Cam's withdrawal I was fortunate to have this opportunity and to now be part of the team to compete in Tokyo is incredible." (stuff.co.nz, 16 Jul 2021; tvnz.co.nz, 16 Jul 2021)

Social Media

Legend

:: Gold Medal Event
:: Silver Medal Event
:: Bronze Medal Event

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