- Year nine student Hugo Russell banned from competing
- Decision handed down by Australia’s peak athletics body
- Hugo has a form of dwarfism, but running is his passion
- Youngster recently met cult hero Nedd Brockmann
The teenager controversially banned by Australia’s peak athletics body because he suffers from a form of dwarfism was elated after meeting cult hero Nedd Brockmann in the flesh.
Year nine student Hugo Russell, from Sydney’s north shore, was recently told not only is he banned from competing at this year’s national titles, but he can’t compete in future events either.
Marathon man Brockmann heard about Hugo’s predicament and on Friday invited the youngster to run a lap next to him at the Sydney Athletic Centre.
On the track, the pair spoke about how Brockmann wants Hugo to become a Challenge Champion for Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge.
Hugo was born with the genetic disorder achondroplasia, the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism.
Until now, it hadn’t stopped him from excelling in athletics, saying he loves pushing himself to the limit as it makes him happy.
But a new rule adopted by School Sports Australia means he’s now banned from running in long-distance competitions.
The rule was passed down by Athletics Australia, based on a perceived health risk to short-statured people such as Hugo who run long distances.
Teenager Hugo Russell was elated after meeting Aussie sporting cult hero Nedd Brockmann in the flesh on Friday in Sydney
Hugo suffers from achondroplasia, the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism
Hugo, a year nine student in Sydney, has been banned from competing in long-distance running events by Australia’s peak athletics body due to his dwarfism
Marathon man Brockmann heard about Hugo’s predicament and invited the youngster to run a lap next to him at the Sydney Athletic Centre track
Brockmann, the man who was the talk of the nation when he ran from Perth to Bondi in just 47 days, has thrown his support behind Hugo.
The Aussie electrician is currently attempting to break the record for the fastest 1000 miles – or 1610km – on foot at the Sydney Olympic Park athletics track.
Brockmann’s friend and business partner James Ward said they had been inspired by Hugo’s story.
‘We are looking for Challenge Champions, and we think Hugo sounds like a Challenge Champion,’ Ward told Ben Fordham on 2GB.
‘We want him to come down to Homebush and we’re going to deck him out in the kit that Nedd’s wearing.
‘Puma are going to deck him out in shoes. Nedd’s got his Nedd’s Milk – we’re going to give him a year’s supply of milk to fuel him along.
‘We are inspired by his story and Nedd wants to inspire kids like Hugo.’
Brockmann decked Hugo out in Puma running gear and also gave him a year’s supply of chocolate milk (pictured, after a previous race)
Brockmann is attempting to jog for 1000 miles (1600km) in 10 days – he became a sporting legend after running from Perth to Sydney to raise awareness and funds for homeless people
Brockmann’s massive run captured the attention of the nation, as thousands gathered at North Bondi to cheer on the exhausted then-24-year-old as he conquered his lofty goal.
The historic run wasn’t just for personal glory, as he helped raise more than $2.2million for Australian homelessness charity We Are Mobilise.
That same charity is at the centre of his newest record attempt with an even more audacious goal set by Brockmann to raise $10million.
