FOUR bronze medals at the Junior World Games has resulted in Declan Young being crowned Wagga’s junior sportsperson of the year. Young defeated a  star-studded field of junior athletes to be awarded the junior sportsperson of the year in front of a packed house at The Rules Club last night.

The 16-year-old made a stunning international debut back in August last year where he claimed four bronze medals at the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation Junior World Games in the Czech Republic.

Young travelled over as a 15-year-old and collected bronze in the under 16 in the 100 metre, 200m, 400m and 800m events.

He then also stepped up to under 23 level for the 1500m and 5000m and matched it with the world’s top athletes and narrowly missed a place on the podium.

Workout Gym’s owner-manager Jared Kahlefeldt sponsors Young and has been impressed with the work ethic of such a dedicated young man.

“I know he does work hard at it,” Kahlefeldt said.

“Given his position, it’s great to see he’s still keen and he’s out there having a go.”

Wagga Sports Awards, proudly sponsored by The Daily Advertiser and Sportsmans Warehouse, honour the city’s outstanding sporting talent and reward those who have achieved greatness over the past 12 months.

Young’s efforts have inspired many according to Kahlefeldt.

“It’s a super effort,” Kahlefeldt said.

“He raced some good times and got good results due to hard work and number of people going out of their way to help him.

“He’s got a great personality, a great work ethic and a great future.”

Young has no bigger supporters than parents Debbie and Noel.

Declan travels to Canberra with his parents about once a fortnight to train at the Australian Institute of Sport.

Article courtesy of The Daily Advertiser www.dailyadvertiser.com.au