Triathlete more than flies the flag

A YOUNG Ballarat triathlete has returned home after undertaking his first overseas competition.

Touching back down in Australia earlier this week, Oscar Wootton spent about two weeks in Trinidad and Tobago, competing in two days of events in the Commonwealth Youth Games.

There, Wootton served as Australia’s flag bearer alongside Sydney netballer Monika ‘Otai during the Games’ opening ceremony at Hasely Crawford Stadium.

He said it was the highlight of the trip for him.

“It was honouring to represent Australia and all the athletes that were there,” he said.

“It was an amazing experience to have us there as one nation as we walked out. It was pretty special and something you don’t do every day.

“That was the biggest highlight for me. It was huge to hear our country called on the loudspeaker with all the people cheering in a big stadium. I don’t think it’s going to be matched for me anytime soon.”

Following the Games’ launch, Wootton placed fifth in his individual race and fourth in the mixed relay event where he competed in tandem with Queensland’s Aspen Anderson.

Wootton said there were many new challenges for him to tackle during competing.

“With the extreme heat and humidity, it brought a whole new race plan and ideas,” he said.

“The heat got to me in the end but I managed to get across the line which is the most important part. I’m over the moon to get fifth in my solo.

“On the racing circuit over there, there were wild goats, wild dogs, wild chickens over the course, so being in that environment was pretty cool. I just had to laugh.

“Because of the conditions it was more to the sprint distance which suits me a lot better. I wish I’d done a bit more cooling at the start but those are things I’ve learned now.”

Settling back into training with one session a day, Wootton next aims to take part in Melbourne competitions in November leading into national races in the summer.