His foster mother, Dawn Staples, said running quickly became a powerful outlet.
“I got him into running because it helps with his autism; it burns off some of that energy. We first joined an athletics club when he was 9, then discovered Special Olympics,” said Staples, who is in Christchurch supporting him with Tauranga athletics coach Ethney Barnaby and club manager Vivian Lintott.
Asked how his opening race felt, Apaapa said: “I like to run fast.”
Staples laughed that perhaps he ran “a little too fast”, having charged to the front early.
Te Huia Apaapa has earned the name “Rocketman” after running for more than 20 years.
With several events still ahead, he’s excited for what’s next. Javelin is a new athletics discipline for him.
Growing up, Apaapa faced real challenges – from navigating school to being misunderstood by teachers and peers.
Finding Special Olympics gave him something he’d been missing: a community where he belongs.
The programme has helped him build confidence, pride and a sense of purpose, qualities now propelling him from event to event.
– Content supplied by Special Olympics New Zealand