A MELVILLE youngster has walked over most of the competition at a national event.
Xavier Bernard (10) claimed the silver medal in the Under 12 Boys 2km Race Walk at the 2018 Australian Winter Walking Championships.
His father Cliff Bernard said it was an exciting experience for Xavier, who trains with the Melville Little Athletics Club and the WA Race Walking Club.
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READ NOW“On the way over the West Coast Eagles were on the plane to Brisbane so he got a few signatures,” Mr Bernard said.
“The experience of travelling, eating and sleeping like an athlete was amazing.
“He also got to meet Dane Bird-Smith, who is probably the number one walker in Australia, he had time for everyone and he passed on knowledge.”
Mr Bernard said Xavier was ecstatic to win the silver medal after competing in rainy conditions.
“He was in the mix but in the last 600m one of the officials raised a paddle and so he was a bit cautious during the rest of the race,” he said.
“Five of the seven WA Race Walking Club members also medalled.”
Xavier’s medal came after he won gold for the second time in the Under 11 Boys 1100 Meter Race Walk at the Little Athletics State Track and Field Championships in April.