SUCCESS FIVE UP FOR INTERNATIONAL

AN international competition veteran at 25, Drew Semmens is set to lead five local athletes to Brisbane.

The Belmont runner will take on the INAS Global Games — an international event for athletes with an intellectual disability — for the fifth time from October 12.

Semmens, from Bellarine Athletics, will run his pet event, the 400m, as well as the 800m and a 400m relay.

“It’s going to be quite special, running in front of your family and friends, I’ve got family up in Queensland and that’ll make it a bit more special because they haven’t seen me run live,” he said.

“This year I’ve changed my training regimen, I haven’t missed a session during the winter, I feel like I’m ready to run really well.”

Elish Byrt, Jacob Sesar and Kirstie Newcomb and Caytlyn Sharp will join Semmens in Queensland.

Byrt will race 1500m, 3km and a 400m relay, while Sesar will tackle the short distances; 100, 200 and 400m.

Newcomb will put her endurance to the test in the 3km race.

Warrnambool-based Sharp competes for Eureka Athletic Club, trains in Geelong and won gold in the high jump at the 2017 games.

She will also compete in long jump, triple jump, 200m and a 100m relay.

Sesar is making his first appearance at the games and will compete in the 100m, 200m and 400m.

All the athletes paid their way to the competition, thanks to fundraising and savings.

“We’ve been doing a raffle . . . we got a lot of donations, it’s been really appreciated,” Semmens said.

“A lot of people from Cobden where I grew up supported me and they have been supporting me since the first day I started.

“I’m going to go out there and give it everything I’ve got, hopefully I can bring some much-needed reward home.

“I’ve got no excuses, I’m feeling pretty fit and I’m pretty pumped up.”