Former Pambula girl Tahlia Waldron is one of Australia’s youngest BMX champions.
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Tahlia, 15, won the under 16 championship after a blistering run on Saturday at the Subaru Australian BMX National Titles in Shepparton, Victoria.
Other competitors included the current world champion Caroline Buchanan and Olympic Silver medallist Sam Willoughby.
Proud mum Minna said she was thrilled by Tahlia’s continued success.
“Her training regime since joining the Victorian State team is incredible,” Minna said.
“She won first place on Saturday and went back-to-back with a win on Sunday.
“It doesn’t get any better, she’s a star,” she said.
Tahlia performed well in time trials and semi finals during the week to make the finals on the weekend.
The Shepparton track is a 375 metre course, complete with bends and jumps.
Tahlia had a come-from-behind finish to claim first place on Saturday in a “nail biter” to win the under 16s Australian Champion.
However, Tahlia backed up her efforts to win the cruiser division on Sunday.
Minna said Tahlia had been working hard on her skills with aspirations of making the Olympics.
“She wants to make the Olympic level, that’s her dream,” Minna said.
“The win has given her the hunger to go that extra mile.”
An increased training program has paid dividends for Tahlia’s efforts.
“She does a 5k run every morning, then every afternoon a range of velodrome and track training,” Minna said.
“She can’t compete in the next Olympics, she will be too young and will have to wait.”
Minna has no doubts about Tahlia’s ability to make the Olympics.
“I definitely think she’ll make it, last year she went to the world titles and she placed 11th in the world for the 15s age group.
“Just to see my daughter compete in the semi-finals last year and miss by one point, she’s done us proud.”
However, Tahlia came third in last year’s Australian titles, which is when Minna knew her daughter was stepping up.
Minna said the championship win was a thrill, but Tahlia’s efforts were already being recognised this year.
“She was awarded an up-and-coming trophy from the Knox BMX Club.”
Following her success over the last two years working with the Victorian State team, Tahlia has been picked up by Cyclecraft who cover her bike and gear.
Minna said it was nice to hear people from Pambula and Merimbula were still thinking of the family.
“It’s nice to hear that our friends in Merimbula and Pambula are still supporting her efforts towards Olympic status,” Minna said.
“Everybody loves to hear how she is doing and how we’re doing.”
The win qualifies Tahlia to compete in the World Titles in Rotterdam, the Netherlands later this year.
Unfortunately, Minna said circumstances were difficult and the family could not afford the trip to the Netherlands.
“We are the only parents that fund her racing, we’re unable to send her overseas this year,” Minna said.
“The next big event is the Victorian state titles in November at Knox BMX Club if we can’t get her over to the Netherlands,” she said.
Anyone interested in helping to sponsor Tahlia to make the titles in the Netherlands can call Minna on 0402 442 714.