Newstead Athletics Club will have its own avenger making a rare cameo at the state athletics under-18s, opens and masters championships on the weekend.
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Shotput Paralympian Todd 'the Hulk' Hodgetts will step into the circle at St Leonards for his former club; he said was eager to put on a show on behalf of the Harriers.
The 32-year-old said he's 20cm off a qualifying shot (15.50m) for the rescheduled Paralympics in Tokyo later this year.
"It'll be awesome when I do it, but to do it here would be more special because it's my home state and where I was born," Hodgetts said.
"It's awesome to come back to my home state and original club, [back to] grassroots.
"I'd rather compete here than in Melbourne, it's good home soil and less busier."
He said between now and Tokyo, Hodgetts' goal was to clock a 16 or 17-metre throw, with hopes to possibly break to the world record.
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"But I have to have technique first and have a plan and process," he said.
Like many athletes vying for a prized Olympic spot, the Hulk said 2020 was a snare in planning and competing for the quadrennial spectacle.
"I had to work around this virus and do the best I can," Hodgetts said.
"It hasn't been a very good outcome but I've got the plan in place now, I've just got to do it on the day.
"They postponed it [competitions] a year, and I thought it was a good opportunity for me to rebuild again.
"I've got many years left in me and hopefully I'll get to go to Brisbane if they win a bid."
Harry Murtough
Born and raised in Launceston. BA of journalism from Monash University. Sports reporter covering basketball, netball and cricket.
Born and raised in Launceston. BA of journalism from Monash University. Sports reporter covering basketball, netball and cricket.
