Local Sports Star: Lachlan Orchard excels in taekwondo sparring
West Hoxton’s Lachlan Orchard has won a number of gold medals for taekwondo sparring and is now a nominee for a Local Sports Star award.
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There is no such thing as losing for Lachlan Orchard, whose positive attitude in taekwondo sparring has seen him go far in the sport.
The 11-year-old from West Hoxton this year moved into the cadet division for competitors aged 12-14, winning several medals, including gold at the Sydney Taekwondo Festival Championships and the Cool Climate Classic Championships.
At this year’s state championships he took home bronze, his second of the year after placing third at the 2019 Gold Coast Open.
He has been nominated for an Inspiration award in the Local Sports Stars competition. Mum Rachel said his determination and resilience had helped him improve year after year.
“Lachlan’s goal was to be national champion, he didn’t place in 2016. Lachlan learnt at an early age about resilience,” she said.
“He didn’t give up and worked harder to be at the national championships in 2017. He won bronze but was still disappointed. He continued training and worked even harder.
“In 2018, at 11 years old, he won gold at the national championships and point-gapped each one of his opponents.”
She said his confidence had blossomed since he took up the sport aged four.
“When he first started at taekwondo he wouldn’t join in for the first few weeks. Over the years he has become a very confident child,” she said.
“Lachlan knows that if you want something you have to work hard. He believes he never fails. It’s either win or learn.”