- Year nine student Hugo Russell was not allowed to participate
- Decision made by Australia’s top athletics body
- Hugo has a form of dwarfism, but running is his passion
- Youngster recently met cult hero Nedd Brockmann
The teenager who was controversially banned by Australia’s athletics governing body because he suffers from a form of dwarfism was thrilled after meeting cult hero Nedd Brockmann in the flesh.
Year 9 student Hugo Russell, from Sydney’s North Shore, was recently told that not only will he not be allowed to compete in this year’s national titles, but he will also not be allowed to compete in future events.
Marathon runner Brockmann heard of Hugo’s predicament and invited the youngster to run alongside him at the Sydney Athletic Center on Friday.
On track, the pair talked about how Brockmann wants Hugo to become Challenge champion for Nedd’s Uncomfortable challenge.
Hugo was born with the genetic condition achondroplasia, the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism.
So far, it hasn’t stopped him from excelling in athletics. He says he likes to push himself because it makes him happy.
But a new rule adopted by School Sports Australia means he will now be banned from competing in long-distance races.
The rule was adopted by Athletics Australia based on a perceived health risk to people of short stature, such as Hugo, who run long distances.
Teenager Hugo Russell was thrilled after meeting Australian sports cult hero Nedd Brockmann in person in Sydney on Friday
Hugo suffers from achondroplasia, the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism
Hugo, a year 9 student in Sydney, has been banned from competing in long-distance running events by Australia’s top athletics body due to his dwarfism
Marathon man Brockmann heard of Hugo’s predicament and invited the youngster to run a lap alongside him on the Sydney Athletic Center track
Brockmann, the man who was the talk of the town as he ran from Perth to Bondi in just 47 days, has thrown his support behind Hugo.
The Australian electrician is currently attempting to break the record for the fastest 1000 miles (or 1610 km) on foot on Sydney Olympic Park’s athletics track.
Brockmann’s friend and business partner James Ward said they were inspired by Hugo’s story.
“We’re looking for Challenge Champions, and we think Hugo sounds like a Challenge Champion,” Ward said Ben Fordham on 2GB.
“We want him to come to Homebush and we’re going to dress him up in the gear that Nedd is wearing.
‘Puma is going to put shoes on him. Nedd has his Nedd’s Milk. We give him a year’s supply of milk to fuel him.
‘We are inspired by his story and Nedd wants to inspire children like Hugo.’
Brockmann dressed Hugo in Puma chassis and also gave him a year’s supply of chocolate milk (photo, after an earlier race)
Brockmann attempts to jog 1,600 kilometers in 10 days – he became a sporting legend after running from Perth to Sydney to raise awareness and funds for the homeless
Brockmann’s massive run captured the nation’s attention as thousands gathered in 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 $2.2 million for Australian homelessness charity We Are Mobilise.
That same charity is at the center of his latest record attempt, with an even bolder goal from Brockmann to raise $10 million.
