SEPTEMBER marks a special time for Kirra Wright, as the Mitchell Shire local prepares for her first appearance in the Para World Championships, held in New Delhi, with the carrot of a berth in the Los Angeles Paralympics on the line.
It speaks a lot of Ms Wright’s pride for home as a resident of Wallan, then, that with just three weeks before her debut appearance in the world championships, she’s front and centre at the Mitchell District Athletics Championships, helping out local students at the sport of Shot Put.
It was at the Mitchell District Athletics Championships, as a Wandong Primary School student, which helped Ms Wright discover her penchant to perform strongly in both Shot Put and the 100m sprint, which are the two events she’ll be competing in in New Delhi.
Since then, Ms Wright has taken an incredible amount of school, state and national awards, leading to her long-awaited representation for Australia.
It’s been a whirlwind ride for Ms Wright, who has burst on the scene this season to become one of 24 world championship debutants for Australia.
The 17-year-old is second in the world for longest throw this season in the F36 category, throwing a width of 7.61 in April in Perth, a result which has seen her on the radar of Australian selectors, and a contender to win the class in the world championships.
Such is the excitement, Wandong Primary School is already preparing a space for her Australian team shirt to hang in their halls.
Speaking at Meadowglen International Athletics Stadium in Epping on Friday, Ms Wright said it was great helping out local students with their Shot Put throwing.
“It’s pretty cool giving back to the local community. I went to Wandong and was there from Prep to Year 6, so it’s always a special day,” she said.
“Being able to help the kids has been the biggest gift.”
Ms Wright said the opportunity to be a leader is the biggest opportunity of her career, not withstanding the potential of landing a spot in the Paralympics in Los Angeles with a good performance.
“I’m really excited about that but also being there with two other 14-year-olds who have made the team, I’m keen to see how they go as well,” she said.
“I’m making sure I am doing the training and seeing what I am getting out of it.”
With Mitchell Shire’s population continuing to blossom comes the likelihood of someone in the Shire emulating Ms Wright’s efforts to represent Australia. For the time being, she wants to keep it simple for impressionable young athletes who want to go all the way.
“I think it’s all about the love of the sport. That’s what got me into it in the first place. When I started, I ran in lane one and that was all I could run in because of my vision,” she said.
“We all definitely start somewhere, so if you have the talent, give it a shot.”
The upcoming championships will be held from September 27 to October 5.
