ROMSEY’S Blake Meyer is one of many woodchopping athletes gearing up to tackle the Australian Pro Championships in Wollongong this weekend.
The championships, hosted by Stihl Timbersports, will feature athletes from across Australia competing in six disciplines – three with axes and three with chainsaws.
Meyer has been competing since the age of eight, following the family tradition passed down by his grandfather, father and brother, all of whom have been competitive woodchoppers.
He will be competing in the pro championship division alongside cousin and top-ranked woodchopper Brayden Meyer.
Blake Meyer said he would be looking to ‘go as hard as he can’ this weekend and hoped for a good result.
“I’m very excited about the weekend. It’s been a bit of hard work training at home so I’m looking forward to hopefully showing the results,” he said.
“Me and Brayden get along really well so we are always helping each other and doing whatever we can to make sure each other goes well.”
The event will comprise of three rounds – the first featuring 12 athletes competing in the disciplines of Underhand Chop, Stock Saw, and Standing Block Chop with 12 points awarded to the fastest athlete and one to the slowest.
The second round will feature the Single Buck and the Springboard, with eight competitors battling for 16 points for the fastest and two for the slowest.
The final round is the Hot Saw discipline, requiring six competitors to battle for triple points with custom-made chainsaws.
Once all rounds are complete, the athlete with the most points will be crowned the Pro Australian Champion and win an opportunity to represent Australia at the World Championships in Germany.
“I’m most confident with the Springboard, but the hardest part is getting through to the first round of the eliminations so that I can hopefully get a crack at it. That’s what I’m hoping to do,” Meyer said.
“I don’t think I’ll be winning it, but I’d like to think that I’m a good chance to get through and get a reasonably high place.”
Meyer will also compete alongside fellow Victorian athlete Laurence O’Toole in the pro championship division, another renowned woodchopper tipped for a shot at being crowned champion.
For more information on the event, including how to watch live, visit .
