"It was kinda like a Rocky moment, where you throw up your hands and go 'aw yeah'" said 11-year-old Harry Cartmell.
Harry is a blue-belt in Taekwando, and on July 25 he competed in the state championships at the Belmont Leisure Centre where he took home two state titles.
Harry's dad Brendon Jones said he and his partner were 'proud as punch parents'.
"Harry's only 11 - it's a huge achievement," Mr Jones said.
"He's quite tall so he didn't get matched up to fight in his own age group."
Mr Jones explained that Harry competed in a prestigious blue-belt competition in the Gold Coast two years ago, but something went awry.
"Harry made it to the final but unfortunately there was miscommunication - the coach told us to go to lunch, but when we got back he was disqualified because he was supposed to be in the ring.
"We wanted a bit of redemption."
Harry's mum Melanie Cartmell said Harry was extremely committed to training, and what started as self defence lessons turned into finding a lifelong passion.
"Harry started Taekwondo when he was seven to learn self defence and developed a passion for the sport," Ms Cartmell said.
"Harry trains three days a week at Oh Do Kwan in Port Kennedy and two days per week boxing with Danny Heyes at Fighter Fit in Mandurah."
One day I'd like to compete in the Olympics.
- Harry Cartmell, 11
To win his two 2021 championship titles, Harry competed in two fights, 20 minutes apart.
"Harry competed in two sparring divisions with opponents who were older, heavier and taller and won both," Ms Cartmell said.
"His first sparring match was against a higher red belt who was 12 years old in the 50-55kg weight division, and his second match was a 14-year-old blue belt in the 52-60kg weight division.
"Harry is 11 and weighed in at 51.8kg, there is a 200g allowance that qualified him for the second match."
Mr Jones said everyone was watching with baited breath.as he held his own against opponents with experience and height on their side.
"The coaches were a bit worried about him."
Against all odds, Harry won both fights, taking home the championship titles and qualifying for the National Taekwando Championships set to take place in Sydney this October.
In the lead up to the State Championship spars, Harry said he was full of nerves.
"I was so nervous that I felt sick, it was definitely nerve-wracking."
Harry managed to shake it off and said it was all worth it in the end when he took home the gold.
"My favourite part was winning the trophies and coming home with gold," he laughed.
"One day I'd like to compete in the Olympics."
Until then, Harry and his family are at home watching the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, and possibly glimpsing into the future.
Samantha Ferguson
Samantha Ferguson is a journalist at the Mandurah Mail. She is an entertainment, sport, crime, community and education journalist with a special interest in investigative pieces and human interest stories.
Samantha Ferguson is a journalist at the Mandurah Mail. She is an entertainment, sport, crime, community and education journalist with a special interest in investigative pieces and human interest stories.
