Former Sydney University Elite Athlete Program member Murray Stewart has been nominated to the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) for Olympic selection after another dominate performance at the second kayaking selection trial over the weekend.
Stewart will most likely have his pick of the men’s K1, K2 and K4 1000m, but will probably not race in all three.
Stewart picked up two gold medals in the Oceania Sprint Paddling Championships last weekend after claiming victory in the men’s K1 1000m and K4 1000m. He then followed it up at the National Sprint Championships in Perth over the weekend by winning the gold in the K2 1000m. This now takes Stewart’s national title count to 3 in the K1 1000m, 7 in the K2 1000m, and 6 in the K4 1000m; truly reflecting Murray’s incredible work ethic and consistency.
Stewart, who will be turning 30 in July this year, graduated from The University of Sydney with an architecture degree. After storming into the public eye with impressive performances at the Olympic selection events for the London 2012 games, Stewart was selected to represent Australia at the London Olympics in the K1 200m, K1 1000m and K4 1000m. In Stewart’s Olympic debut he took out gold in the K4 1000m, finished 8th in the B Final of the K1 1000m and 6th in his heat in the K1 200m.
Great job Murray!