Blacktown sisters with world at their feet
Stella and Cloe Lellis have the world at their hands and feet. The Blacktown sisters will travel to Italy in September for the WAKO World Kickboxing Junior Championships.
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Stella and Cleo Lellis have the world at their hands and feet.
The Blacktown sisters, 12 and 14 respectively, will travel to Italy in September to represent Australia at the 2018 WAKO World Kickboxing Junior Championships.
Mum Maria Lellis said a love of martial arts was ingrained in the duo by their dad, Con, who competed at a young age.
“They’ve been working out at home since they were very young,” she said.
“They would run up and down the stairs and do 20 kicks and punches each side. It’s awesome to see how far it’s taken them.”
Stella said martial arts was her true passion in life.
“The thing with martial arts is its more than just throwing a punch. It helps boost your fitness, co-ordination, confidence. It’s also a lot of fun and joining a club helps you make friends,” she said.
Cleo, who turns 13 at the event in Jesolo, is the youngest in the Australian team.
She admitted the prospect of fighting girls older than her made her feel “worried” but she’s refused to let it stand in her way.
“Just imagine how cool is would be to say in a job interview or telling your children and their children that you went overseas at the age of just 12 to fight in an 16-13 year old division,” she said.
They are the latest nominees for the Advocate’s Local Sports Stars awards, which run until August 31. Prizes will be awarded to athletes aged 18 and under across four categories. Details: localsportsstars.com.au/newslocal