Laurence O’Toole inducted into Australian Axemen’s Hall of Fame after eighth world title

DONCASTER’S Laurence O’Toole has been inducted into the Australian Axeman’s Hall of Fame after winning his eighth woodchopping world championship at the Sydney Royal Easter Show last month.

Laurence O'Toole is in the Australian Axemen’s Hall of Fame. Picture: Tony Gough

DONCASTER’S Laurence O’Toole has been inducted into the Australian Axeman’s Hall of Fame after winning his eighth woodchopping world championship at the Sydney Royal Easter Show last month.

The accolade came hot on the heels of O’Toole captaining the Australian men’s team to victory at an international event in New Zealand to kick off the new year.

When he came home he toured country shows around Victoria before heading up to the New South Wales capital for world titles.

And he’ll book up more frequent flyer miles in a few weeks when he heads to the US for their woodchopping summer, as he does every year.

It all makes for a pretty busy calendar for the 37-year-old but the third generation wood-chopper wouldn’t have it any other way.

“My grandpa, dad and uncle have all won world championships,” O’Toole said.

He hopes to keep competing in the sport for at least another decade, giving him a chance of reaching his grandpa’s amazing mark of 12 world titles.

“I travel a lot so I’m lucky to have my family and a few friends involved and (sponsor) Komatsu Forest helps me live my dream of participating in such a niche sport, without them I wouldn’t be able to do half the stuff I do,” he said.

Laurence O’Toole is a 2018 Leader Local Sports Star Senior Nominee. CLICK HERE to nominate someone in your community. Local Sports Stars is supported by Sportsmart and Gold 104.3.