Fatima Halloum
Not many teenagers can refer to themselves as national champions but 14-year-old Cameron Gatt can.
The Truganina local brought home gold after competing in Brisbane at the BMX Oceania Championships in April.
Cameron’s fixation with the sport began when he was six-years-old, he attended the Weerama parade and observed BMX riders in their element for the first time.
“I saw the boys on their bikes [and] I was completely amazed by their skills. They left a lasting impression on me and I hassled my mum every day until she organised for me to have a trial,” Cameron said.
“My parents took me down to the local track to lend a bike and gear and I was hooked, from that day I never turned back.”
Cameron said despite years of competitions, he “always” feels nervous.
“When I’m up on the hill waiting for the gate to drop, I use the nerves to push me to explode out in front of my competitors, then the adrenalin takes over,” he said.
“The adrenalin of the major events is my favourite thing, the rush you get after seeing all your hard work pay off when you get across that finish line first.”
Cameron credits his coach, Werribee’s Fraser Te Hiko, for his achievements and hopes to compete in the Brisbane 2032 olympics.
“I hope that I will be in my absolute prime and am selected to represent my country in the Olympics in front of our home crowd. That is the ultimate goal of my career – Olympic Gold,” he said.
