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Black Sticks heat up for Tokyo furnace

With temperatures tipped to tick over 40 degree Celsius in Tokyo, the Black Sticks have been adjusting with heat chambers, spas and saunas, writes Brendon Egan.

Sweating it out in heat chambers and spas, the Black Sticks couldn’t be any more prepared for the brutal Tokyo temperatures they’ll face at the Olympics.

New Zealand, who have finished fourth at the last two Games, open their campaign against world No 3 Argentina today.

Going from a chilly Kiwi winter to the searing Tokyo heat, which could climb above 40 degree Celsius later in the Games, will be a stern challenge.

Prolific Black Sticks striker Olivia Merry, the all-time leading goal scorer in New Zealand women’s history with 112, believes the team are adequately placed to handle the conditions.

They hadn’t left any stone unturned in their preparation working with assistant performance physiologist Lorenz Kissling, who has completed a thesis in heat acclimation.

The Black Sticks had tried to replicate the Tokyo temperatures, using heat chambers, saunas, and being submerged in a spa for upwards of 50 minutes.

‘‘You can never underestimate how hard the heat is going to be. I think heat often changes your thinking and a lot of other things you don’t quite realise at the time,’’ Merry said.

‘‘We have done all we can and you’ve got to trust in your preparation and trust the people who have the brains around all of the heat.’’

Sitting in a spa for 40-50 minutes sounded pleasant, but when it was dialled up to 40 degree Celsius, Canterbury’s Merry said the novelty fast wore off. The spa heated an athlete’s skin to the temperature and didn’t allow the body to cool down, providing a harsh lesson what they could expect in Tokyo.

In the heat chamber, the temperature rose above 40 degree and the humidity was also ramped up, she said.

‘‘When you add the humidity and heat together it feels like the temperature can get upwards of 50 degrees and most of that is with the occasional bike session.

‘‘There has been some challenging times and myself included, there has been a lot of tears. It’s pretty challenging when you’re pushing your body to the limit.’’

The Black Sticks, sixth in the FIH world rankings, have been grouped with Argentina (third), Australia (second), Spain (seventh), China (10th), and Japan (14th). The top four teams in the pool advance to the quarterfinals.

New Zealand’s medal prospects were dealt a blow prior to the Olympics when hockey legend Kayla Whitelock, who was set to attend her fifth Games, tore her anterior cruciate ligament in the final home test against Australia in June.

Whitelock had stepped out of retirement last year to chase an elusive Olympic medal and Merry said the team were devastated. They wanted to play for the 256-cap veteran in Tokyo and produce performances she would be proud of, watching back in New Zealand.

‘‘Her contribution to New Zealand hockey is so understated. Her contribution to sport in New Zealand is so understated.

‘‘Her resilience and her persistence to be the best she wants to be throughout having two children and multiple injuries throughout her career is such a testament to how special a person she is.

‘‘It’s definitely given our team motivation to not only do it for yourselves, but do it for Kayla.’’

Merry, who will be attending her second Olympics, is one of six players returning from New Zealand’s 2016 Rio Games squad, where they lost the bronze medal match to Germany.

The Black Sticks had mixed fortunes against Australia in their Olympic warm-up series in Palmerston North and Perth. When the Black Sticks put it together on both attack and defence, they had caused problems for Australia and looked sharp.

Merry was encouraged by what they could do in Tokyo if the team played to their ability.

The busy Olympic hockey format, which sees teams play five pool games in less than a week, meant sides had to regroup swiftly for their next match.

‘‘You’ve got to review the game and then move on quickly and start afresh.’’

Sport

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2021-07-25T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-07-25T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://fairfaxmedia.pressreader.com/article/282677575317986

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