BUDDING athlete Anton Circelli recently claimed two gold medals at the South Australian Primary Schools Amateur Sports Association Track and Field Country Championships.
Circelli achieved state success when he placed first in both the 13 year 100 metre sprint at 13.03 seconds and 13 year 200 metre sprint at 26.98 seconds.
A boy of many talents, Circelli has previous achievements in long jump and has claimed the Tenison Woods College fastest boy title three times in years five, six and seven.
“I can not really hear anything when I run, it is just me and my shadow racing against each other,” Circelli said.
“At the start of a race you can see people that are a head taller than you and that can be pretty nerve-racking.
“They wear all these fancy skins and shoes but when you actually race you tend to control yourself and just beat them.”
At just 13 years of age, Circelli has big aspirations with one day hoping to enter the Olympic Games.
“Sometimes I just wonder if I could be the fastest runner in the world,” he said.
“It all started in year five when I started going to Little Athletics – this revealed my passion for fast running.
“I wanted to be the best I could be and still do today.”
Continually working on his fitness, Circelli goes for regular runs and participates in both basketball and football.
“I play football for South Gambier and we won the Under 15’s premiership this year, so I think my speed helps with sport,” Circelli said.
“At the end of last year my Under 14’s basketball team placed runner-up, I just grab the ball and run so no one can catch me.
“My dad always says just knock them down and that is what I try and do.”
Entering high school next year, Circelli believes his recent achievements will lead to future winnings in more prestigious competitions.
“I can be neck to neck when versing my friends, sometimes I beat them sometimes I do not,” Circelli said.
“I am not a long distance runner, but it just comes down to how fast you can really go.”
Running provides respite from Circelli’s busy school routine and he hopes he will breake world-records in the foreseeable future.
