Tyla King (Nathan-Wong)
Tyla King (also recognized as Tyla Nathan-Wong) is a distinguished New Zealand athlete known for her remarkable accomplishments in both touch rugby and professional rugby union and rugby league.
Beginning her journey in touch, tag rugby, and both sevens and fifteen-a-side rugby union as a teenager, Tyla made her professional rugby sevens debut at the age of 18 in 2012. Since then, she has captained the New Zealand sevens team on numerous occasions, leading them to victories in the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series in multiple seasons. Her prowess on the field contributed significantly to the team's silver medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, and most recently gold medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In May 2023, Tyla transitioned to rugby league, signing with the Australian club St. George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL Women's Premiership, and subsequently being selected for the New Zealand women's national rugby league team. Her transition to rugby league has been marked by her continued excellence on the field.
In 2023, Tyla's exceptional performance in the sevens circuit earned her significant accolades. She was named as a member of the 2023 women's dream team at the World Rugby Sevens Series Awards. Furthermore, for her outstanding performance during the 2022–23 Sevens series, she was named the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year in October 2023, underscoring her status as one of the most skilled and experienced players in the sport.
Tyla is not just a phenomenal athlete but also a passionate speaker and role model. She has represented New Zealand in Rugby Sevens, Touch, and Tag, and her accolades include being an Olympic Silver Medalist, Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist, and a two-time Rugby Sevens World Cup winner. Known for her incredible footwork, speed, composure, and leadership abilities, Tyla is deeply committed to representation in sports. She has spoken at various forums, including the New Zealand Chinese Association Diverse Bananas International Conference and the New Zealand Chinese Youth Leaders Camp. Her talks often focus on leadership, goal-setting, and following dreams, aiming to inspire audiences and the next generation.
