MICHAEL Metaxotos has plenty of gold medals hanging around his neck, but all he wants is a black belt around his waist. The junior taekwondo star had already excelled at national level but a black belt would take him a step closer to, eventually, representing Australia.

And, one of michael's aims is to represent his country at the Junior Olympics.

"To represent Australia you have to be black belt and you have to be over 14 (years old)," Michael explained.

"If I've done my maths right, it should be by the end of Year 7, so next year.

"It is very challenging to get your black belt because you have to memorise everything, all the kicks and patterns, and you also have to do a written essay."

Michael, who is a blue belt, hopes to be a red belt by the end of the year.

The 11-year-old Doncaster resident became interested in taekwondo after he was encouraged by a friend at school.

Michael has trained at Joon No's Taekwondo in Doncaster and Kew for the past 2 1/2 years.

And, now, his trophy cabinet is overflowing with gold medals.

This year Michael won gold at the Victorian Junior Poomsae Open (April and May) in the 12 to 13-year-old division.

The Serpell Primary School student produced a feisty display at the Victorian Junior sparring final, when he recovered from 2-0 down to win 4-2.

Michael also won gold representing Victoria at the national championships in Adelaide last September.

"It feels great to win gold, to know that you're better than you're competitors," he said.

Michael is this week's nominee for the Manningham Leader junior sports star.

Written by Chris Vernuccio