Local Sports Star: Tamara Cerne aims for Olympics future

Former Junior Sports Star winner for Liverpool, Tamara Cerne, has her eyes on one goal - to represent Australia at the Olympics in karate.

Tamara Cerne is hoping to compete at the Olympic Games. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

• Festival’s maze of activity for kids
• ‘Real opportunities’ for floating playgrounds

Tamara Cerne is proving she’s got what it takes to be an international karate champion.

The 17-year-old from Horningsea Park is a former Junior Sports Star winner for the Liverpool Leader, having taken out the title in 2017.

She has been nominated again for the Local Sports Star award in the Junior Sports Star category.

Tamara entered the world of karate aged three after watching her older brothers at training.

Years of hard work and discipline have seen her reach new heights each year, including, most recently, first place at the NSW State Championships.

The teen has been nominated for a Local Sports Star award. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

Tamara was subsequently selected for the NSW state team and the Australian national team.

Now that karate has been included in the Olympics, the teen hopes to one day represent Australia at the Olympic Games.

Her experience at the 2017 World Karate Federation’s cadet, junior and under-21 Championships in Spain exposed her to the highest echelons of the sport and she counts it as one of her toughest challenges.

She has been competing in karate since she was three years old. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

Tamara said it was also one of her greatest achievements, having reached the semi-finals of the competition. One of the highlights of her karate career is the friendships she’s made over the years.

The Local Sports Star competition recognises the outstanding achievements of athletes aged 18 and under. It is sponsored by Featherdale Wildlife Park and Bankstown Sports.

Nominate at localsportsstars.com.au.