EIGHT-YEAR-OLD budding sportsperson Jake Hambrook-Smith returned to school last week with a collection of podium finishes under his belt.
Hambrook-Smith, a St Luke's Catholic Parish School year 3 student, competed in several championships and tournaments during December and January, walking away with first and runner-up placings in team and individual events.
In December, he took out two gold medals in high jump and shot put in the State Relay Championships teams event.
Just before heading back to school, Hambrook-Smith competed in the Redlands Athletics club carnival, setting the record for the 700 metre walk event.
He is also a tennis gun, achieving a runner up placing in the singles green ball club championships at Chandler.
At eight years of age, he also achieved a runner up finish in UQ Sport Age Tournament for doubles in the under 10 category.
On February 2, Hambrook-Smith was named Mount Gravatt Little Athletics age champion in his age group for the third year running.
Mother Nicole Hambrook said Hambrook-Smith was a self-motivated and passionate sportsperson.
“He lives and breathes sports,” she said.
“He’s not interested in toys— for Christmas we got him a high jump mat.
“He’s always out practicing tennis against the wall.”
Sport is a family pastime for Hambrook-Smith, with his father an ex-professional squash player and his mother having a background in exercise science.
Ms Hambrook said her son intended to follow in his parents’ footsteps and had his sights set on a career in tennis.
Hambrook-Smith will now prepare for the regional athletics championships at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre, where he will compete in the 700 metre walk, 60 metre hurdles, shot put, discus and high jump.
He will be fighting for a spot at the state championships in Townsville in March.
“He’s a gun at all sports,” Ms Hambrook said.
“I just want him to learn life lessons from sport (like) being a good sport, working hard and doing his best and being happy with the results.”
