Talor Kahu, the son of Mark Kahu (Ngāti Tura), and Marua Jan Kahu (née Te Au), (Ngāti Māmoe), of Rotorua, is no stranger to breaking sports records. Talor, 17, was badly injured playing rugby a few years ago and doctors thought he would never walk again but Talor never gave up and after succeeding in a number of other sports, he has returned to rugby and is now playing for the Western Heights High School First XV in Rotorua.
Talor (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Atawhiua), is a descendant of Te Horio. He is the great-great grandson of Pene Te Au and Tuihikau, and Jacob George Newton and Arihi Newton (Whaitiri).
After his rugby accident, Talor had a hospital visit from All Black, Buck Shelford who was on a promotional tour at the time. He advised Talor to play basketball or something else, until he recovered. Talor took his advice and made the New Zealand U17 basketball team to tour Australia in 2010 and is currently in the Rotorua U19 basketball representative side. He also took up volleyball after his accident and made the New Zealand U20 side to go to Malaysia 2012.
Talor was chosen to go to Florida, USA with the New Zealand Junior Men’s volleyball team this year but chose to play volleyball for the North Island team to tour Brisbane Australia in June, instead. The North Island team are defending champions and Talor was part of the team when they won in Nelson 2012.
Not content with that, Talor has just broken the high jump record at Western Heights High School – a record unbeaten for 16 years and previously held by All Black Caleb Ralph. Talor is a perfect example of why it’s important never to give up and we predict a bright sports future ahead for him.
Talor Kāhu makes a comeback.