By LIAM TWOMEY
REMEMBER the name Aaron Wain because there is a chance Australians everywhere will be cheering him on at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
At the age of just 16, Wain has established himself as one of the hottest up and coming prospects on the Australian and world taekwondo scene.
Competing in the under 68kg category, the Sydenham resident has enjoyed a raft of outstanding results over the past year which include victory at the Junior World Selection tournament in Perth, representing Australia at the Junior World Championships and winning both the junior and senior events at the Gold Coast Open.
However, his greatest victory came in December last year when Wain won the Oceania Championship when representing Australia.
While 2013 will officially be his last year of junior competition, Aaron’s mother Stacey Wain says her son is already focusing on senior competition and isn’t daunted by the open age division.
“This will be his last year of juniors but he doesn’t really compete much in juniors anymore. He tries to concentrate on the senior division,” she said.
“He finds the juniors not as challenging anymore. I suppose you have to lift your game to compete at a high level if you want to make it.
“I think it is a bit intimidating (competing in the open division) but he doesn’t really look at the age he looks at the skills of his opponent. He just goes out there and gives it his best.”
After his brilliant year, Wain has also seen his Australian and world rankings skyrocket.
He is now the number one ranked Australian for his weight division in both senior and junior competition while also boasting a world ranking inside the top 20.
Not surprisingly, there are no plans to slow down for the young star who is being groomed as a future Olympian after selection in the Australian Olympic Athletes Training Program.
“You need to be ranked in the top four in Australia in your division to be selected for that program,” Stacey said.
“He trains pretty much five days a week for anywhere up to two or three hours a night and then on weekends he goes and trains at Victoria University with the taekwondo team there. That is a three hour solid training session as well.
“He is looking to 2016 Rio Olympics as his goal. That is what he wants.”
For his outstanding sporting achievements Wain has been named this month’s Don Deeble Rising Star nominee.
The award is run by the Sunshine Western Region Sports Club in conjunction with the Star News Group.
Aaron will receive $1000 donated by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club and other prizes to assist in his future sporting goals.
The Don Deeble Rising Star Award recognises young athletes in the western suburbs who have achieved outstanding results at a state and national level.
To nominate someone for the Don Deeble award, please contact starsport@starnewsgroup.com.au or call 9933 4800.
