Wollongong martial arts expert Mick Cutajar is preparing to head to Canberra for a camp that will pit Olympic Games hopefuls against each other in the lead-up to Beijing.
Cutajar has been selected to travel to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) for a week-long camp for elite judo players.
The camp, which runs from August 23 to 30, follows hot on the heels of the Victoria Open International Championships, which will feature the best exponents from Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Korea.
Cutajar and fellow athletes were slected for the camp after good results in events and performance in previous camps.
It will also be the starting point of a taxing campaign including the Sydney International, Queensland International and Kodokan International.
Cutajar will then compete at the Australian Masters Games before the Oceania World Cup on November 7-11 in Western Australia.
A self-confessed "?late starter', Cutajar has not given up on his his Olympic Games dream.
"Quitting is not an option and finishing second at the final selection will only keep me going to London," he said.
Tentative plans for Cutajar to take part in a extreme fight in Wollongong on October 20 are also in the works.
Cutajar has also designed the Kids SAFE program, which offers children of less-fortunate families the chance to participate in a sporting activity that is fun, easy and educational.
Cutajar has put $2000 of his own money into the program and is challenging businesses to help him reach the target of $13,500.
That sum would pay for the uniforms, insurance and training manuals for 100 youngsters.
The program offers children aged between 6 and 13 the chance to participate in a six-week program.
Call 0141 279 938 or email wollongongjudo@hotmail.com for further information.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Mick Cutajar
Websites
Australian Sports Entertainment
Media Man Australia
