Sharp chopper heading to World Champs | Taranaki Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Taranaki

Local Shane Jordan is the only New Zealand representative heading to the 2006 Junior World Axemen's Championships in Spain.

His selection came from an impressive performance at the recent Melbourne Royal Show in Australia. Shane and local choppers Andrew Lewis (20) and Terry Buchanan (19) were the final three to complete the Under-21 New Zealand Axemen's Team.

Although the three did not place in the teams event - Shane on 'standing', Andrew on the single saw and Terry on 'underhand', the experience has helped them immensely with their development.

However, in the individual events, Shane had tremendous success, winning his standing event and placing second in the standing championships. He also took home a silver medal in the underhand event and a bronze in the underhand championships.

Andrew won gold in the combination chop and placed second in the single saw event.

Shane will head to Bulborrow, Spain, on November 8, for 20 days and will compete in the same events. Currently he is coached in Taupo by John McKenzie, but remains a member of the Taranaki Axemen's Association.

Both Shane and Andrew said they have been competing for three years, but started four or five years ago. Andrew said he took interest in the sport after watching a woodchopping demonstration at the annual Toko Pig Hunt.

Enjoyment of the sport keeps the young men interested, with both Shane and Andrew having higher goals for the future. Andrew and Terry would like to thank the TSB Community Trust for helping them get to Australia.

Shane Jordan and Andrew Lewis are back from the Melbourne Royal Show with tremendous success in woodchopping. Absent: Terry Buchanan.