Meet the teen sport star who became an inspiration for the entire Yorke Peninsula

Hugo Taheny was diagnosed with Down syndrome at birth, is legally blind, has a significant hearing deficit, and has suffered life-threatening heart and lung issues throughout his life — but despite his challenges, the young sport star is better known across the Yorke Peninsula as #hugorockstar.

Hugo Taheny at his family property where his dad put up a basketball ring for him to practice. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

In country South Australia, there’s a century-old shearing shed prized by the youngest family member for its basketball ring.

Hugo Taheny, diagnosed with Down syndrome at birth, spends hours a week aiming to airball the basket at his family’s Point Turton farm.

His practice in the shearing shed has paid off.

Hugo’s heading to Brisbane in October and Turkey next year to represent Australia in discus, shot put and javelin.

“I am very proud to represent my country and I want to make my family and friends proud,” Hugo says.

The 17-year-old is legally blind, has significant hearing deficit, and has suffered life-threatening heart and lung issues requiring hospitalisation dozens of times throughout his life, including 14-hour open-heart surgery at age two.

“For the first two years of his life, we had the hallway lined up with suitcases ready to rush to the hospital at a moment’s notice,” says his mum Louise.

Hugo Taheny with all his medals and dog Dennis in the shearing shed on his family property. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

In the past eight weeks, he’s had successive sporting achievements — local, state and national — that has locals across the Yorke Peninsula publicly affirming his self-appointed “hugorockstar” hashtag.

“He walks into the local supermarket and will get a couple of high fives; he’s stopped at the beach — everyone has really embraced him and his achievements,” Louise says.

Four days ago, Hugo — the youngest of five athletic siblings, was selected to represent Australia at the INAS Global Games in Brisbane later this year and the TRISOME 2020 Games in Turkey.

Both are international athletics events for the intellectually disabled.

Last month, he was one of only three SA team members to finish a dual medallist at the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships in Cairns.

Hugo Taheny with Ollie Wines

He won bronze medals in shot put and discus, after a personal best of 19.1 metres.

A week later he was named Senior School Sportsperson of the Year at Yorketown Area School for outstanding participation, excellence and sportsmanship in school and community sport.

Hugo plays basketball with the Warooka Reds B team (in the able-bodied open men’s division) and has given almost every sport a go — cricket, football, soccer, golf, diving, swimming and athletics.

He also received a Local Sporting Champion Award from Grey MP Rowan Ramsey.

“He is such an inspiration,” Hugo’s father John says.

“Nothing really stops him.

“If you’re ever having a bad day, just spend time with Hugo and you keep going.”