Curtis Bennett of Majors Creek has been awarded Axeman of the Show at the Sydney Royal Easter event. Curtis, 17, began chopping wood at the age of 13, inspired by the legacy of his father and grandfather, both champion axemen in their day.
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Curtis “blitzed them” in Sydney, according to his father, Simon. He placed in nearly every event he entered. Curtis’s personal highlight was cutting the record for Under 18s standing block from 16.8 to 15.2 seconds.
“There were a few kids there I wanted to beat,” he said. “I knew I could beat them, but I didn’t know I could beat the record.”
Simon was “over the moon” at Curtis’s success at “the Wimbledon of woodchopping … The hard work that he put in has paid off.”
“It’s a big thing to win at the Sydney Show,” Curtis said – but he’s not letting it go to his head. “I try to just win, as much as I can, obviously,” he said, “but in the same respect, just sort of stay calm, don’t sort of go out and tell everybody you’ve won.”
Curtis isn’t the only champion chopper in the family. Sister Maddi Bennett competed with the Australian Women’s Team, as well as in Jill and Jill cross-sawing, and Jack and Jill cross-sawing with her father.
Video: supplied.
Elspeth Kernebone
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
