A medal - that's what Knox Gibson's gunning for at next week's School Sport Australia Swimming Championships at Melbourne.
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It doesn't matter whether it's gold, silver or bronze either, as he said with a smile on Wednesday afternoon, "any medal will do".
Gibson is one of his state's four multi-class swimmers set to tackle the national championships, earning his spot after a bumper showing at the NSW Primary School Sports Association Championships at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre in April.
I don't mind if it's gold, silver or bronze, any medal will do.
- Knox Gibson
The multi-class event is all-encompassing and Gibson's state selection rewarded his consistency and versatility across a number of different strokes, as a result he'll be representing NSW in seven separate events at Melbourne.
The 11-year-old Catherine McAuley star will take to Albert Park's Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre in the 50-metre freestyle, butterfly, breaststroke and backstroke races along with the 100-metre breaststroke, and two different relays too.
"It'll be really fun, I'm hoping to get a medal in something," Gibson said.
"It won't be easy but I'm hoping because of all the training I've been doing since (the) state (championships) I might be able to get there.
"I don't mind if it's gold, silver or bronze - any medal will do."
His efforts for Polding at the state titles suggest he's every chance of doing just that too, particularly in the breaststroke where Gibson swam for second in his 11-13 years boys' 50-metre event at the state titles, clocking 59.02.
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Gibson's no stranger to the big stage having become a poster boy for all-abilities sportspeople in his short life, he also plays rugby, and has received national recognition as a burgeoning musician and model too.
In short, since having his right forearm amputated after a lawnmower accident on his grandparents' farm, the youngster has become the perfect example of what can be achieved with determination, discipline and a can-do attitude, despite facing obstacles.
He's been swimming for virtually his whole life too, but ramped up his commitment to the sport in recent years.
"I started swimming when I was four or five, stopped for a while, started back when I was nine or 10 and then the last, probably, two years I've been doing a lot more sessions," he explained.
""I do enjoy it ... it clears your mind if you've got a bit on your mind or you're angry, (but) I know I have to train hard to make it the higher levels.
Gibson and his family will head to Melbourne on Saturday, before his national campaign kicks off on Wednesday, July 31.
He thanked his parents Jack and Kate, along with his coach too.
"I'd like to thank Peter Archer for all the sessions he's given me and mum and dad too, for taking me around the place," Gibson said.
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