Tasmania continues to punch well above its weight on the national and international sporting stage, and our athletes have once again done the State proud.
In a week that had it all, Tasmania gained a new world champion, with Rob ‘Razor’ Wilkinson winning the US$1 million PFL Light Heavyweight World Championship. In a coup for Tasmanian and Australian combat sports, Rob’s win solidifies our very own Hybrid Training Centre in Hobart as a world-class mixed martial arts facility.
Tasmanian stalwart Eddie Ockenden suited up for the Kookaburras, becoming the first Australian player to play 400 international matches. Since debuting in 2006, Eddie’s 16 years as a Kookaburra have coincided with a tremendous period of success for the team, including winning the Champions Trophy in 2009, Commonwealth Games Gold in 2010, and Silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Riverside Athletic product Nathaniel Atkinson performed admirably for the Socceroos against a world-class French side featuring some of the world’s best players at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The Tasmanian Tigers and JackJumpers both had impressive wins on the road, with both teams well and truly in contention for finals.
It was also terrific to see Smithton's Nash Walker lead Australia to gold at the Under-15 Oceania Basketball Championships. A stand-out performer, Nash captained an Australian team packed with future stars.
Tonight the AFL National Draft will hopefully see more Tasmanians get the opportunity to realise their dreams of playing at the highest level, with a number of local footballers a chance to be drafted.
For each of these successes, there’s a team of parents, coaches and supporters who make it all possible. A big congratulations to them today as well!
More Media Releases from Nic Street
More Media Releases from the Minister for Sport and Recreation