Sport
5 June, 2024
Caboolture siblings make BMX world stage
The recent BMX Racing World Championships were memorable for Caboolture-based siblings Kyarnee and Fletcher Young, with Kyarnee gaining a top-eight placing.
A year 10 student at St Columban’s College, Kyarnee competed in the U15 girls division while her brother - a year 12 student at the same school - was in the 17-24 men’s division.
It was the first time either of them competed in a world championship, after they had previously performed well enough in Australian national titles to gain selection for the world championships in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Kyarnee often trained up to six times each week, while Fletcher usually trained about three times each week as he juggled his hobby with schoolwork.
Kyarnee was among 10 Australians in the U15 girls division, which featured 75 competitors from more than 20 countries including the United States, France, Columbia, Latvia and Spain.
The year 10 scholar said she encountered the most challenging conditions she had ever competed in, as it was pouring rain when she raced.
Kyarnee nonetheless said it was a “once in a lifetime experience” while she was very happy to finish as high as eighth, and was grateful for the opportunity to compete.
Kyarnee said she was overwhelmed to achieve the goal she had worked hard for, and that it took a while for it to sink in.
Fletcher was among 11 Australians in the 17-24 men’s division, which contained 120 competitors from more than 20 countries.
While things didn’t quite go to plan as he placed 50th, Fletcher said he was happy with how he raced while watching his sister gave him insight into what he should expect.
Fletcher and Kyarnee said they had their sights set on the Queensland and Australian titles in September and October, while Kyarnee also sought to gain a place at next year’s world championships in Copenhagen.
