Kynan Leong claims gold at Australian Junior Beach Volleyball Championships
The true mark of a champion is in how well they handle defeat.In 2018, Kynan Leong crashed out at the Australian Junior Beach Volleyball Championships. One year later, he’s a national champion.
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The true mark of a champion is in how well they handle defeat.
In 2018, Kynan Leong represented NSW at the Australian Junior Beach Volleyball Championships.
The Castle Hill local put together a strong debut performance; however, he ultimately crashed out prior to the quarterfinals.
Kynan was devastated.
“I was so disappointed,” the 14 year-old said.
“We had a good chance but couldn’t make the quarterfinals when it counted.
“I remember my Dad was trying to give me the positive side and told me that if I lost enough games, one day I would learn how to eventually win the big games.”
That proved to be great advice as just a year later Kynan not only progressed through to the quarterfinals but won the entire competition.
“It took a little while for it to sink in,” he said.
“(The team) all played for each other and we were very pleased with each other’s performances right through the four day tournament and to the end we hadn’t lost a set which was really an achievement on its own.
“It was just a relief to win the gold medal game.”
The Australian champion said he wants to use his success to try and increase the profile of the sport.
“The ultimate goal is to play for the Volleyroos in the Olympics one day but that’s a long way away still,” Kynan said.
“For the moment, we’ll do what we can to promote the sport at school, club, state and for the country so we can compete with all nations around the world.”
Kynan is a Hills Shire Times nominee for the 2019 Local Sports Stars competition.
Local Sports Stars is proudly sponsored by Featherdale Wildlife Park and Bankstown Sports.
To nominate, go to localsportsstars.com.au/newslocal
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