LEETON’S Max Norman will represent his country this weekend, but it’s something he’s not too nervous about.
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The young athlete will be part of the Australian team taking part in the World Triathlon Championships on the Gold Coast next week, and after months of preparations, the year 11 student is raring to go.
To qualify, Max competed at several races throughout the country, as well as several qualification events where he had to finish with a top three placing.
“Once you got places, you got points, so it was dependant on the amount of points you tallied up,” Max said.
“I’ve been doing triathlons for about six years now.
“The Leeton Tri-Club hold triathlons every Sunday in the summer. I went down there one weekend and that’s how it all started.
“I like the variety. You’re not training for one sport continuously, but also the community.
“Everyone is really friendly.”
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Max was expecting tough competition in his division, but said he was interested to see how he measures up.
His training schedule has been full on leading into the event.
“I’ve had to do a fair bit … usually I’m doing something two or three times a day,” Max said.
“Usually I’ll wake up, go for a ride or a run, go to school, then in the winter I’ll go to Griffith to swim and then maybe a run when I get back.”
With triathlons being a gruelling sport, Max said it always provided a good challenge.
His goal at the championships on the Gold Coast is to get through his race and see how he compares.
“It would be really awesome to get a placing, but I’m not sure what will happen,” Max said.
“I think I’ll be a bit nervous next week, but the ones I compete in around here I’m usually pretty good.”
Max has had plenty of support leading into the championships and his has thanked all of those who have helped him along the way, including his parents.
He wasn’t sure if a professional career in the sport was what he was after, but wasn’t ruling anything out when he finishes school.
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