Horsley Park kart racer James Abela (Pic: AF Images/Budd)
HORSLEY Park karting prodigy James Abela has crossed the finish line first again claiming the Fairfield Advance Junior Sports Star award at Homebush on Wednesday night.
Abela, 16, last year made the step up to the world karting stage competing in the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy with races held all over the world.
Last year was Abelas’ first attempt at the World Karting Championships in the Academy Trophy and will hope that the experience he gained in 2012 will prepare him for a successful tilt at the competition in the 2013 season.
Abela looks on track for another promising season with a second placing in the Pro Junior (KFJ) category of Castrol EDGE CIK Stars of Karting Series held in Ipswich, Queensland February 23-24.
In the Fairfield Advance Young Achiever category Jade Vongphrachanh claimed the honours in a competitive field of entrants after her stella performances in martial arts.
Originally taking up the sport purely to build her confidence, Vongphrachanh has demonstrated great skill in martial arts claiming nine medals which included five gold, one silver and two bronze at the Sixth World Martial Arts Games held in Bregenz, Austria from August 10-12, 2012.
Vongphrachanh’s coach Adrian Ionita from White Wolf Martial Arts said she was an amazing fighter who would never back down from any challenge.
The tiny martial arts champion found the sport has helped her overcome health problems and build her confidence.
“I actually had a problem with my white blood cell count and red blood cells and I tried lots of different sports but martial arts was the only one that helped me get better,” Vongphrachanh said.
“I have kept doing it since I got better because it’s fun and it has made me more confident,” she said
