Taekwondo champ Benjamin Camua nominated for Junior Sports Star award

BENJAMIN Camua is only 14 years old but the taekwondo champion has travelled the world for competitions while maintaining straight As at his selective high school.

Martial arts champion Ben Camua.

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BENJAMIN Camua is only 14 years old but the taekwondo champion has travelled the world for competitions while maintaining straight As at his selective high school.

Prodigy Martial Arts master instructor Peter Vassily, who has coached Ben for the past six years, said the young athlete puts his “heart and soul” into his sport.

“The sky is the limit for this boy,” Vassily said. “Ben has represented Australia at Commonwealth and world championship levels. The goal for Ben is definitely the 2020 and 2024 Olympics.”

Ben was the NSW champion from 2011 to 2013 and the Australian National Champion in 2012 and 2013. In 2014 he won gold at the taekwondo Australia competition and went on to represent Australia at World Cadet Championships in Azerbaijan.

He won gold again in the 2015 Australian National Championships and represented Australia at the World Cadet Championships in Korea.

In Korea, Ben was also given the privilege of being the Australian flag bearer. This year he took out gold medals in the Sydney taekwondo Festival and the Gold Coast Open. He is set to travel to Fiji to represent Australia in the Oceania Championships.

Despite his success, Ben’s feet are planted firmly on the ground.

“He is very respectful and humble. A great role model for young people and adults too,” Vassily said.

“Every day Ben comes in with a smile on his face and helps out with the younger students,” Danielle Arena from Prodigy Martial Arts said.

“Ben has not only done an amazing job representing his club, but also representing his country.”

Ben’s gruelling training schedule challenged his physical and mental limits. He trains five to six times a week with a double session on some days.

Ben has been nominated for a Junior Sports Star, sponsored by Rebel. Nominate at juniorsportsstar.com.au