An effort of 16.85m by CJ in the shot put 4kg secured a national first place at the South Australia Athletics Stadium last Friday.
CJ’s mother Kirsty Wilson said he had been slightly apprehensive ahead of the championships.
“He’s worked pretty hard, especially to get a bit stronger at the gym,” she said.
“He’s had a knee injury and we weren’t definite we would be going, but decided to go.
“Before the championships, he was full of nerves as he was aiming for a top three position, but by the end, he was feeling good.“
Based in Mathoura, CJ is a student at Deniliquin High School.
He has been developing his athletic ability with the South Bendigo Athletic Club, where CJ is coached by the current and four-time national shot put champion Emma Berg.
“He’s coached by Australia’s number one woman in shot put,” Kirsty said.
“She is amazing, fresh, happy, and she absolutely loves what she does.”
The current goal for CJ is to make the Youth Olympics squad for 2026.
It will provide extra challenges for the shot put event.
“That (making the team) would be his absolute dream, but he probably can’t think about that too much as he will go up a kilo to 5kg at the end of the year,” Kirsty said.
While reaching his goal will require some dedication and sacrifices, Kirsty said CJ is determined.
She said his support base would also back him all the way.
“He’s just so thankful for everyone that supports him. He is competitive but humble.
“For a 15 year-old boy to be so dedicated, it blows you away.
“He is up at 6.30am, he does sprint work, swims and is on his push bike a lot.
“He has made amazing friends along the way, including at South Bendigo, which is so important. And so are the memories.“
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