Not many doctors prepare for surgery with a bout of boxing, but that’s what Zak Martin can often be found doing while getting into character as Dr Rahu Parata on Shortland Street.
“I shadowbox in a corner before ‘action’ is called,” the boxing champ and actor tells Woman’s Day. “Some people look at me like, ‘What’s he doing?’ Sometimes other actors give it a go or just laugh at me! It just helps so much with getting out of my head, especially before big scenes.”
It’s bittersweet that Zak’s practising punches in Ferndale. If all had gone according to plan, the 23-year-old would instead be in Birmingham right now, representing Aotearoa in boxing at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. However, years of training and dedication crumbled after a heartbreaking injury forced Zak to withdraw.
“I was devastated,” he admits. “I still feel emotional talking about it because it was so hard. Everything for the last two years was geared towards the Games. My coach JeffStutt kept reiterating, ‘Zak, you have many years ahead to represent New Zealand. Don’t beat yourself up.’ He was awesome when I was feeling those demons.”
Neither boxing nor acting were on Zak’s radar while growing up in Sydney, then West Auckland, where he became hooked on rugby and kapa haka.
Bu hikaye Woman’s Day Magazine NZ dergisinin August 8, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Woman’s Day Magazine NZ dergisinin August 8, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
TREASURE & TRAUMA
The launch of the new season of Celebrity Treasure Island doubled as an eighth wedding anniversary celebration for contestant Millen Baird and his wife Siobhan Marshall, who came fourth on the show back in 2022.
JUDGE JAY-JAY
Radio diva Jay-Jay Feeney delivers her verdict on your biggest dilemmas
CASEY'S BABY JOY 'OUR GIRL IS ALREADY SO LOVED'
The Te Puke gym owner refused to let a devastating accident stop her from becoming a mother
DEAD FUNNY! SHOSHANA'S GOING SOLO
The Emmy Award-winning writer is starring in a macabre new comedy
TWO RAW SISTERS BABY MAKES THREE!
Rosa and Margo have a new cookbook and bundle of joy on the way
HOME AND AWAY'S NEW MÃORI STAR
The son of a Kiwi sporting Legend, Cantona Stewart is making waves in Summer Bay
TV STAR AIDEE 'THE NIGHT I ALMOST DIED'
The actress and director opens up about her terrifying ordeal
CARMEL SEPULONI I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A FIGHTER!
Our former deputy PM the lessons she's learnt in politics on CTI
KENNEDY & SOLLY'S ROMANTIC RACE TO THE ALTAR
The Black Ferns co-captain and her rugby star husband organised the ir nuptials in just five days!
THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!
Their lovable bromance is stealing the spotlight in Venice!