Difficulties at school have led to success in sport for Footscray brothers Leo and Edward Hollis.
The Hollis boys won gold in their respective divisions at the Australian Taekwondo National Championships in Brisbane last month.
Leo, 17, won the junior black belt 73-78 kilogram division, his second national title, while Edward, 10, took out the blue belt 25-28 kilogram competition for his first.
Mum Julie Hollis said the origins of their success could be traced back to when Leo was in primary school.
“My husband got Leo into it when he was younger because he’d been getting bullied at school,” she said.
Despite being much younger, Edward soon followed his older brother into the sport.
“From the moment he could walk he was walking around with taekwondo helmets on,” recalled his mother, who said his success in Brisbane was less expected than that of his older brother.
“It was definitely a surprise for Edward, it was the first time he competed (at the nationals),” Ms Hollis said.
“Leo’s had a great year, he’s just come back from Korea with the Australian junior team who competed at the world junior championships in October. He got to the round of 32.”
The Hollis’ two other children also caught the taekwondo bug, though 13 year old Wilbur and Edward’s 10 year old twin sister, Elsie, do it for fitness not competition.
For Edward and Leo, who train at notorious martial arts in Airport West, competing is what taekwondo is all about and their mother said 2025 promised to be a big year for both.
“Edward will go up to red belt next year while it’ll be Leo’s first year in seniors and we’ll see how he goes.”
Cade Lucas.
