Sprinter Eddie Osei-Nketia has made the highly anticipated decision on his international allegiance, announcing he'll represent New Zealand on the global athletics stage.
"It was actually a very hard choice," Osei-Nketia told Newshub. "I had to go through my family, managers and coaches."
The 18-year-old has been living in Australia for the last two years, and there were suggestions he may align himself with the green and gold.
But he's stayed loyal to his country of birth and will follow in the footsteps of father and NZ national recorholder Gus Nketia, confirming his commitment to Athletics NZ.
"The support that I will be getting and my dad used to run for New Zealand [were big reasons]," Osei-Nketia told Newshub.
He'll now prepare to take on the region's best at the Oceania Championships in Townsville next month - his first outing in the black singlet.
"I'm very obsessed at the moment - I'm obsessed with winning Oceania's, so I can go to my first world championship and have experience of racing against the other guys."
The teenager still has one year at high school remaining, but is already in a strict training regime, as he eyes international success.
"I eat my breakfast, go to school, then train for two hours and then study every day until the weekend.
"I have so many options flying around me. All the coaches and the support I have right now, it's going to be really unbelievable to see what I can achieve in the future."
He is currently in negotiations with global brand Adidas to secure a shoe deal.
Newshub.
