Brandon Te Hiko doesn’t do anything by halves … the Werribee rider won his fifth national title at the 2015 BMX national championships in Brisbane last month.
The 17-year-old was also ranked number one in the world in the junior elite division earlier this year but has since been knocked back to second following a meeting in France.
As if that weren’t enough, he’s also completing year 12 at Wyndham Central College.
“Just trying to balance those two is pretty hard and in my free time I’m either studying or resting,” he said.
Brandon, who started BMX racing when he was eight and now rides with team Pure Bicycles, said his fifth national title was the best.
“It was awesome because it was my first in the junior elite.
“I’d won four nationals in a row and then didn’t win one in two years.
“It feels awesome to come first again; all my hard work is finally paying off. I’m happy to be on top.”
Brandon applies a combination of gym sessions, sprint sessions on his bike, gate starts and track speed-work as part of his training.
He’s coached by his father, Fraser, Victorian coach Josh Cullan and Australian coach Luke Madill and has competed in countries including South Africa, New Zealand, Rotterdam and Belgium.
Brandon, who looks up to Australian BMX rider Sam Willoughby, is keen to compete in BMX racing full-time once he graduates.
