Glen Gillam takes world title
Neerim South has a new world champion after former resident Glen Gillam took out gold in the 2018 Stihl Timbersports World Championships in England.
Glen, aged 35 and now living in Toongabbie, anchored the Australian Chopperoos team to secure his first world championship and help set a new world record to match.
It was redemption for Glen after the disappointment of 2017’s world championships in Norway in which the Australians headed in favourites before being upset by New Zealand.
Speaking to the Gazette after arriving back in Australia from Liverpool, Glen was ecstatic to wear gold.
“To bring home the gold was an absolutely remarkable feat,” he said.
“One of the highest honours that can be bestowed.”
Whilst being celebrated as “the star of the night” both on and off the stage for his standing block chop using a never before seen giant 10.5-inch axe, Glen was quick to put the focus firmly back on the tight knit team of five competitors and two managers.
“I wasn’t just me at the end of the day. We all played a crucial part in that team for what we achieved.”
Joining Glen in the Chopperoos were fourtime world title winner and captain Brad De Losa of New South Wales competing on the single buck, Brayden Meyer of Victoria on underhand chop and Jamie Head of Queensland on the stock saw.
Of the 21 competing countries, the Australians were last team standing in the team relay event featuring four axe and saw disciplines based on traditional logging skills.
Not only were the Chopperoos able to win a fifth world championship to cement their title as one of the most successful Australian national sports teams, they also smashed the world record.
In a scorching semi-final against Canada, the Australians set the new mark of 45.10 seconds, beating their old world record of 46.45 by 1.35 seconds.
However, Glen said the record was simply a “blimp on the radar” with gold the team’s only objective – particularly after the upset of 2017.
“To me it wasn’t on my mind; I was there to do a job. We had to keep focused. Consistency was key, and it showed with the runs on the board and coming out with the gold.”
Glen prepared for the world championships by watching hour upon hour of footage to find an edge as well as developing his 10.5-inch giant axe that demolished every piece of wood that stood in its way.
“It was something that I sat down and worked on since qualifying for the team. I was trying to work out what I could do to benefit the team with my ability. I created an axe which did the job.”
Unlike any other axe previously used, Glen likened it to Thor’s hammer by stating “there’s only one person that can swing it”.
Using knowledge passed down from generation to generation of woodchoppers gave Glen the edge to develop the axe matching his build and skills.
Labelling it a pursuit of “sheer passion”, Glen praised the support of VC Traders in Warragul and support of the local community to get him to the world championships and ultimately a gold medal.
“This chapter is closed in my book and another one opens,” he said.
Asked if he would be back to defend the world championship, Glen says “we have to fight our way through to make the team” but his fingers will be crossed.