MITCHELL Shire’s Macdonald siblings have been participating in the AAF 2025 $1M Fundraising Challenge nominated as part of 100 athletes selected for the AAF 2025 $1 million challenge, as well as continuing their athlete development overseas in Spain.
Jackson and Mackenzie Macdonald are putting together good results around the world in their chosen disciples, with Jackson pursuing motorcycle racing and Mackenzie competing in taekwondo.
Jackson had recently trained with Chicho Lorenzo, who is the father of three-time MotoGP world champion and two-time 250cc world champion Jorge Lorenzo to continue to develop his craft.
Unfortunately, a crash which resulted in a broken tibia and fibula meant he required a flight home to Australia, as well as mourning the loss of his grandmother.
However, upon return last week, Jackson returned to the bike for the penultimate round of the MIR Racing Spanish Cup alongside the who’s who of the Promo3 class in his first ride in 11 months in Spain, where he finished a credible 11th and 18th in both races, placing him 13th for the round – a good result for a young man coming back from injury in an unfamiliar environment.
Jackson will now put his preparation into the final round at Cartagena next weekend before returning home.
Meantime, Mackenzie has been performing strongly around the world.
Mackenzie achieved a fifth-place finish at the Spanish Open for taekwondo after strong intensive training at the Hankuk International School in Madrid, which was her first Junior category competition.
Soon after, Mackenzie went to the Chuncheon Korean Open, and performed strongly on the world stage, collecting a silver medal.
It was her performance back in Australia which continued to blow the Australian contingent away as one to watch throughout the future.
Mackenzie claimed gold in her category, as well as a further gold in the first ever Teams event in Adelaide in October.
That result took her to nine national championship titles, as well as 10 medals from events across the globe as Mackenzie continues to build a terrific resume.
Both Jackson and Mackenzie’s results mean they have both been selection for the Aussie Athlete Fund $1 Million Challenge for 2025 was based on their commitment and aspirations to represent their country on the international stage.
The duo has worked through a program which teaches them about sports fundraising, athlete branding and working with businesses to enhance their standing.
Both have completed the program and have now been nominated for the Elevate32 program, which, if successful, will attract a $5000 donation to each of their fundraising campaigns.
Jackson has also been nominated for the prestigious ‘Media Excellence Award’ and if fortunate, will attract another $5000 to his campaign in support of his athlete development.
