Naraya, a Cloverdale resident and Year 10 Aranmore Catholic College Student, has been named in the State team heading over to the School Sport Australia Pizzey Cup tennis championship in Victoria.
“I had some good results from the summer and before that, so I got picked directly,” Gen said of his selection.
“My mum got an email about the team and she told me, and I was so happy.”
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWGen moved permanently to Perth from Tokyo in April last year, after spending a few years here when he was younger.
The Pizzey Cup representative has been playing tennis for the past five years, and said it feels great to be able to represent WA at a national competition.
Gen said he aims to attend a tennis college after finishing high school, and his goal is to get into pro-level tennis and the ATP World Tour.
He was quick to name his ultimate tennis idol: Swiss superstar Roger Federer.
“His tennis is so beautiful, his technique is so good. He’s good as a person too, as a role model,” Gen said.
Gen is one of 16 talented under-18s to make the cut, including two other local residents: Tara Gilich from Como and Tyler Mizuhata from South Perth, who both attend Applecross Senior High School.
The School Sport Australia tennis championship is taking place this year in Shepparton, Victoria, and started on Friday, until May 7.