He TangataHayden Wilson

What constitutes a good day?

Spending time with the family and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training.

What New Zealander do you most admire and why?
My brother Stacey, because he has always been there for me and I admire him for all that he has achieved including becoming the seventh New Zealander to receive a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

One thing you could not live without?
My family. They are my everything!

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
Hawaii, because of the beautiful weather and lifestyle.

Who is the most important person in your life?
My wife Ange – she has always believed in me and my crazy ideas, and always pushes me to do my best.

What is your favourite song?
Anything by Metallica (my wife will cringe at that).

What constitutes a bad day?
Missing training.

Who is your favourite superhero?
Atom Ant.

What is your worst character flaw?
Sometimes I get caught up in stuff and forget what’s really important.

Which talent would you most like to have?
I’d love to be able to sing and play an instrument.

What’s your favourite childhood memory?
Playing league out in the backyard with my brother.

What country would you most like to visit?
Brazil.

What would you do if you won lotto?
Travel and train around the world (with my family of course) and establish our own premises for Groundworx Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Do you believe in reincarnation?
Undecided.

Even if you don’t, what would you come back as?
Maybe a dolphin, cos of how free they look and how cool their tricks are.

What is the best gift you’ve ever received?
My kids.

What is your greatest extravagance?
It’s still a work in progress (to own my own premises for our club).

Favourite way to chill out?
Training, it’s a good stress relief.

Dance or wallflower?
Dance.

What is the last book you read?
The Gracie Way, an illustrated history of the Gracie family who transformed Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Who is your favourite author?
Kid Peligro, one of the world’s best martial arts writers and author of The Gracie Way.

If you had to watch sport on television, what would it be?
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or rugby league.

What food could you not live without?
I love all food!

What meal do you cook the most?
Homemade pizza.

What’s your biggest regret?
I don’t believe in regrets

What is your greatest achievement?
I would say my family first and foremost. Also, representing New Zealand in rugby league (juniors).

Hayden Wilson is head coach at the Groundworx Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Club in Christchurch, which he launched a year ago with his wife Angela. He began training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 10 years ago and currently holds the rank of brown belt. His brother Stacey, who lives in Perth, is one of eight New Zealanders to hold the rank of black belt. Hayden recently returned from the Pan Pacific Jiu Jitsu Championships with gold, silver and bronze medals, while son Kiarn, who has been training for six years, came up against opponents up to 10 kilograms heavier and still returned home with a silver medal.

Hayden, who was born in Hastings and brought up in Christchurch, says launching and watching Groundworx grow has been an important journey. He and Angela wanted to provide a place for youth to learn skills through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to help them through life.