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If you’ve ever been to the Moana Nui-a-Kiwa Centre in Māngere, South Auckland, over the summer, you’ve probably seen Tatiana Raumati practising her manu technique in the popular bombing pool.

She’s there most days and, with the Z Manu World Champs under way, Tatiana’s been busy training.

Her training ground is the Moana Nui-a-Kiwa Centre, home to one of the few official bombing pools in New Zealand. The centre has five outdoor pools, but the bombing pool is the star attraction.

Every summer it draws crowds of residents and visitors, all eager to show off their dive bombs, including the iconic manu, which many still refer to as the “Māngere” in honour of the area’s deep connection to the sport.

This weekend the Māngere qualifier for the Z Manu World Champs is jammed with competitors registered, including medallists from last year’s manu champs.

Tatiana Raumati at the Māngere pools practising her manu technique. Photo / Ant Farac

Tatiana is registered to take part on Saturday.

“Usually, there’s only me and a couple of other girls up here practising and heaps of guys. More girls should give it a go I reckon. Girls can do anything and we can bomb with the best of them. I would say to girls – don’t be afraid to give it a go,” Tatiana says.

Manu, she says, is a lifelong passion. She’s been practising her technique at the Māngere pool for years and is eager to share her love for the sport – especially with the younger generation and other girls who want to give manu a go.

“The Māngere bombing pool is the best,” Tatiana explains. “There’s a real sense of community. My whole family come here together”.

Tatiana is hoping to secure a spot through the Māngere qualifier for the Z Manu World Champs grand final on March 1.

“It’s a great opportunity to test my own skills, but also to show other girls that they can do this too. That’s my mission. The competition’s going to be tough, but I’m up for it.”

Another strong contender for Saturday’s qualifier is Cheyenne Freeman. Cheyenne not only qualified for the grand final last year, but took out second place for youth female at the Z Manu World Champs grand final. For her, manu is a family affair, too, having learned the technique at Kai Iwi Lakes with her dad and uncles.

“I learned to manu off the ladder at Kai Iwi Lakes,” Cheyenne says. “My dad and uncles taught me to just jump, tuck and open when you hit the water.

“It’s fun being a girl because people stop to watch when I do it, since not many girls do it. I always get lots of compliments, which is nice,” Cheyenne adds. “I say to anyone who’s thinking about trying it – just send it. Give it a good crack, jump, tuck and open just like my dad and uncles taught me.”

Tatiana says: “There’s so much potential for girls to excel in this sport. I think a lot of girls might think that manu’s just for guys, but that’s not true. Everyone is welcome in our bombing world.”

The Māngere manu competition is a highlight of the summer and an official qualifier for the Z Manu World Champs.

Winners will progress to the grand final of the Z Manu World Champs to be held on March 1 at Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour – competing against manu stars from throughout the country.

Tatiana is more motivated than ever. Her goal? “To represent Māngere and prove that the manu world is not just for guys – it’s for everyone. It’s about showing the world what we can do.”

- NZ Herald