At just 12 years of age, Cody Coombe is heading to China mid-August to represent Australia in the Spartan Kids World Championships.
Cody has been training for seven years at the Obstacle Course Racing School at Tuggerah under the guidance of head coach Mick Gleeson.
After competing at the Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) World Championships in Belgium last year and placing a very impressive 29th in his age group, he had his sights set on qualifying for the Spartan Kids World Championships in 2024.
This would require Cody to place in the top 10 in his age group at a Spartan Kids Race in Australia.
Not only did Cody place in the top 10, he achieved first at Spartan Bright, first at the Spartan Picton National Championships and second at Spartan Gold Coast so far this year in the 12-14 years age group.
The 2024 Spartan Kids World Championships will be held in Chongli, China on Saturday, August 17 where the 12-14 years age group will consist of five kilometres of running and 26 obstacles.
This is the largest Kids OCR event in the world.
Some of Cody’s other achievements this year include first for his age group in the Hill to Harbour, first for his age group in the Central Coast Spartan Trail and fourth overall (including adults), first overall in the True Grit 5km and 10th at Raw Challenge Doyalson in the adults Elite wave.
Cody is also the 2024 age champion at his school for cross country, athletics and swimming.
He placed first at his school’s cross country, third at States and 14th at Nationals.
Cody’s home training facility, Obstacle Course Racing School at Tuggerah, runs a monthly OCR Club Championship’s event which Cody is also absolutely dominating, going undefeated against all ages for all six races so far for 2024.
“Cody is a very talented young athlete with a lot of potential and I believe he is very capable of achieving a very good result,” coach Gleeson said.
Gleeson is no stranger to the world stage himself, having competed at six OCR World Championships.
“I wish Cody all the best,” he said.