Hamilton high school rower Martin Tamoaieta will make history, when he lines up at the Youth Olympic Games early next month.
But he won't be wearing the silver fern. Tamoaieta will become the first-ever rower to represent the small island nation of Kiribati at an Olympic event.
He will also become one of the first to attempt an unprecedented manoeuvre in the sport.
Tamoaieta took up rowing at St John's College to stay out of trouble.
"When I was younger, I was pretty naughty, so I tried using my time wisely and getting busy," he told Newshub.
And now you can't wipe the smile off his face, as he proudly competes on the international stage, under the flag of his homeland, Kiribati.
"It was amazing, because when I won, I realised this would be the first time Kiribati would have a rower at the Youth Olympics
Tamoaieta earned the opportunity at a Pacific Islands development camp, winning the single sculls by more than 13 seconds.
But to podium in Argentina, the 17-year-old will have to conquer an unusually complex race.
He'll compete over a sprint distance of 900 metres, not the usual 2000 metres, and at the halfway mark, competitors must complete a risky 180 degree turn.
"That's going to be really weird to be honest, especially doing one after a turn, so I'll be trying to maintain that balance," he said. "Otherwise, I'll probably stuff it up and flip over.
"It's pretty insane, it's not something you'd usually see in a rowing race," New Zealand rower Michael Brake told Newshub. "It was an experience for sure, I'm pleased I'm not the one doing it.
Tamoaieta's got one month to get it right.
Tokyo 2020's his major ambition - another opportunity to proudly put the flag on the map.
"I want to see rowing in the Pacific develop," Tamoaieta said. "Once that has been established, I guess I'll step out of rowing, and become a coach and stuff - that will be my way of giving back."
It's a promise to grow rowing in the islands - a sport that has already given so much to Tamoaieta.
Newshub.
