Proud Wilson gears up for Tokyo
Coolum product Julian Wilson has savoured donning the green and gold boardies for the first time as he starts to build for an Olympic dream he never thought possible.
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SURFING: Coolum product Julian Wilson has savoured donning the green and gold boardies for the first time as he starts to build for an Olympic dream he never thought possible.
The 31-year-old has been on the Gold Coast with fellow Tokyo qualifiers Sally Fitzgibbons, Steph Gilmore and Owen Wright enjoying a two-day camp at Surfing Australia’s High Performance Centre.
Wilson finished the World Surf League’s Championship Tour season 11th and the second highest ranked Australian behind Wright to earn a provisional spot in the national team destined for the Tokyo Olympics.
He was ecstatic for the chance to compete in the sport’s Olympic debut.
“It definitely was not something I grew up dreaming about doing,” he said.
“Obviously I never knew that the Olympic level was coming (for the sport) so it’s an amazing opportunity.”
He’s already participated in some Olympic preparation camps but got a taste of the momentous journey to come during a two-day visit to the HPC.
“Yesterday we did some trial heats and got to wear the green and gold board shorts for the first time and just the team and team atmosphere and representing Australia in something so substantial and meaningful (is amazing),” he said.
“I think I’ve always competed at a high level to represent my country and now you get to actually wear the green and gold and go as a team and try and win an Olympic medal.”
“Take it (year) as it comes but it’s a super exciting year to be a professional surfer and to be one of the top two in the country I feel super honoured and can’t wait for the year to start – I’m excited.”
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