Cherry on top! MICHAELA'S GOLD FOR POP

The former Black Fern shares the inspiration behind her daughter’s win

- Cloe Willetts

When Black Ferns speedster Michaela Blyde won gold at the Tokyo Olympic Games last month, New Zealand’s moment in history played out across millions of television screens around the world.

But long before the rugby sevens star pulled on the black jersey for the final against France, she made a promise to her beloved pop, Peter Blyde, to one day win at the Olympics.

According to Michaela’s proud mum and former Black Fern Cherry Blyde, her daughter was 14 when she wrote a special letter for her grandfather after he passed away and placed it inside his casket.

“When my husband Steve’s dad died, everyone put something in the coffin for him and Michaela wrote a letter, which she asked me to read to make sure it was okay,” recalls Cherry, 54, chatting to the Weekly from her home in Lepperton, a small rural community out of New Plymouth.

“In the letter, she said, ‘Pop, I’m going to go to the Olympics and win a medal for you.’ Obviously, her win is very special for us.”

During the Black Ferns’ jersey presentation in Japan, videos from loved ones back home were played, where Cherry, Steve, and their sons Christopher, 27, and twins Liam and Cole, 23, sent Michaela their messages of love and support.