Daniel "Freddy" Coleman
Daniel "Freddy" Coleman is Tasmania's elite walker as well as being ranked the top Under 20 walker in the country honoured with Junior Captaincy for the 2006 World Cup Team.
Now aged 18, this snake fearing - chocolaholic commenced walking in Little Athletics and as an U13 winning the State LA Championships along with bronze medals as an U13 and U14 at National Championships. In 2003 a silver medalist in the U16 3km National All Schools confirmed that Daniel was set for bigger and brighter rewards in the sport.
As a 16 year old, Daniel won gold in the U18 National 8km road walk along with silver in the U18 National All Schools 3km and 5km events.
In 2006, Daniel hit the big stage with a silver medal in the U20 National Championships 10km and gaining selection in the Australian World Cup Team that competed in Spain. In the U20 event at the World Cup, Daniel walked a creditable 47.02 being the 1st Australian and 2nd Commonwealth walker home along with being the 4th U18 athlete.
His hard work was further recognised in 2006 when he was award a Tasmanian Institute of Sport scholarship.
This year Daniel in winning the U20 Australian Championships set a 2008 World Cup "A" qualifier followed by a terrific effort in gaining a silver medal and World Cup "B" qualifying time at the Australian U20 road championship in Canberra in June. He is now hunting an "A" qualifying time for the 2008 World Junior Championships.
Coached by AIS High Performance Walks Coach Brett Valance, "Freddy" is sure to reach his goals in representing his country at both Olympic and Commonwealth Games. However, lets hope we host the games as he has a reputation of loosing passports......
A credit to himself and his family, this talented athlete still has the time to support local walking setting an example for the younger walkers in the Club.
