FAMILY SUPPORT:  Junior sports star for February Anthony Buhse has been blessed with the support of his parents Brad and Amy and little sister Jessica in reaching his athletic goals across a number of different disciplines and sports.

AT just 13 years of age, Anthony Buhse is setting a new standard at the Ipswich Little Athletics club.

Since joining in 2011, he has competed at regional and state levels for athletics in various disciplines.

He currently holds the under-13 and under-14 90m hurdles club record, was named the age champion for both seasons, and was awarded the club’s Senior Athlete Encouragement Award for the most personal best times.  He was the most improved in under 14.

His parents Amy and Brad Buhse take great pride in their son’s achievements, taking on the role of designated taxi driver without complaint.

“He’s a very active kid,” Brad said.

“We are lucky to have a day where we are not travelling somewhere.

“He’s got a fair bit of natural talent but he’s also very focused on what he wants to achieve and he does pretty well at it.”

After fracturing his hand just two weeks prior to competing in his first national event, Anthony placed 13th in Australia in the 200m hurdles.  He also set a personal best in the 100m hurdles, where he came eighth in the final.

With medals for 100m, 200m, shotput, long jump, discus, 100m and 200m hurdles, Anthony is one multi-talented athlete.

With Anthony having so many interests, his parents praised his two coaches for their part in preparing him for competitions.

“For his athletics, Marty Stolberg has coached him for high jump, long jump, hurdles and sprints,” Brad said.

“In January, Vic Pascoe took over for hurdles and pushed Anthony fairly hard in a short period to get him to Perth.”

Anthony has been blessed with a number of local sponsors getting behind him and allowing the young athlete to compete at the national titles in March.

With support from Ipswich Little Athletics, donations from Don Evans Plumbers, Bush and Beach 4WD Club and training gear from Physics 3D, Anthony was able to travel to Perth with his mother Amy Buhse and coach Pascoe.

“I was a bit nervous,” Anthony said.  “It was good having my coach there to help me warm up.

“The two races I ran in both had false starts so it makes you more cautious.”

In 2014, Anthony joined the Ipswich and District Athletics Club.  With a renewed focus on hurdles, he qualified for the Australian Championships for the 200m hurdles.

Anthony said it was only by chance that he realised hurdles was a sport made for him.

“One week at Little Athletics I broke the record and found out I was good,” he said.

“I do like all sports and I train for them all but my favourite would be soccer.”

Anthony is the latest junior star named in the 2015/16 QT-City of Ipswich sports awards.  He is the February winner.

In his spare time, he plays for the Silkstone Baptist Soccer Club where he has been involved since he was six.

Last year he was picked in the QSCA Queensland under-13 Development squad and has since joined the Brisbane Force in the Super Youth League.

With a penchant for discovering a talent in new sports, Anthony has set his sights on competing in pentathlon.

“That’s what I’m currently training for,” he said.

“People had been saying I should do it because I’ve been doing well at each of the events (separately).

“I need to do a bit more long distance training (to be ready).”

Whatever sport Anthony finds himself in next he is sure to add to the family trophy cabinet.