Laura Taylor: Next stop Tokyo Olympics for Gold Coast swimmer

She may just be 19 years old, but top Gold Coast swimmer Laura Taylor is continuing to turn heads — and she hopes to do so once more next year as she trains for her biggest ambition yet.

LAURA Taylor is a star on the rise.

The 19-year-old captured hearts when she won silver in the 200m butterfly at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast last April. Days later she snared gold at the Aussies Surf Life Saving Championships in Perth and the national age swimming titles in Sydney.

She capped a golden year months later by receiving the Gold Coast Bulletin’s Sports Star Award.

LAURA TAYLOR SNARES GOLD AT AUSSIES

Swimmer Laura Taylor at Bond University Pool. Photograph: Jason O'Brien

In remembering her parents’ sacrifice, which included waking up before daylight for several years so she could pursue her sporting dreams, Taylor said her family were her biggest supporters.

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“Dad actually nominated me (for the Gold Coast Sports Star Award),” she said.

“He put in my nomination after my trials then updated it after I won silver at the Commonwealth Games.

“My parents have always been so supportive with driving me to training and getting up at 5am because of the sports I chose to pursue.

Swimmer Laura Taylor wakes up before dawn to get training. Photograph: Jason O'Brien

“It was really cool to be recognised for all the sports I’ve done.

“It’s a great award and to achieve it was a real confidence boost seeing my efforts recognised.”

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Taylor, a Bond University Georgina Hope Rinehart swimming excellence scholarship holder, is eyeing next year’s Olympic Games in Japan.

“It’s definitely one of my big dreams to go to an Olympic Games but I wouldn’t stop there,” she said.

Swimmer Laura Taylor is dreaming big with her next ambition. Photograph: Jason O'Brien

“Making the team would be amazing but I’d then want to come home with a medal.”

We are looking for the next wave of sporting stars, with nominations now open for the 2019 Gold Coast Bulletin Local Sports Stars.

Categories include the Junior Sports Star, Team of Excellence, Inspiration Award and Service to Sport.

Nominees must be 18 years of age or under at the end of the nomination period except in relation to the Service to Sport category, for which the age of nominees is open. Nominations must be based on sporting activity carried out between September 1, 2018 and August 31, 2019.

Nominations are open until 31 August 2019. Winners will be announced at the Local Sports Stars Awards being hosted at the AustWorld Centre in conjunction with supporting partner, the Gold Coast Suns.

Nominate now at localsportsstars.com.au/goldcoastbulletin