Yorke Peninsula “Rockstar” paving the way for the future
He goes by the name of Hugo “Rockstar” Taheny – an elite athlete with an impressive medal haul, an inspiring health ambassador, and most recently this Yorke Peninsula legend has been strutting his stuff on the red carpet, taking out SA Life’s Future Leader Award.
Not only does this 23-year-old have his sights set high on his own sporting career, he’s also paving the way to making the world a better place for people living with disabilities.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the room at the prestigious SA Life Awards last week, as Hugo, who was born with Down syndrome, complex health issues, and vision and hearing impairments, accepted his award. He delivered a heartfelt speech about his desire to make the world “a more fair and better place where people with disability are included and have the same opportunities as everyone else”.
When Hugo was born with complex health problems, his parents Louise and John, were told to take him home and “love him up”. When he was seven, the courageous fighter announced his intention to make life better for children with Down syndrome. And that’s exactly what he’s doing.
He’s currently ranked number one in the world for Shot Put and Discus, and also holds the world record for Shot Put, Discus and Javelin. He’s represented Australia five times, winning two gold medals at the Virtus Global Games in France last year, as well as gold and silver at the Oceania Games in June, where he was captain of the Para Athlete team. For the past two years he’s been awarded SA Sports Para Athlete of the Year.
Whether he’s training for success on the field, or advocating for people with disabilities through his many ambassador roles, Hugo’s always paving the way for change.
“I want to inspire people, especially children, to be the best person that they can be,” he said. ” I want the world to know that me and people like me are not second rate just because we have Down syndrome.”
Through his work as a Health Ambassador for Down syndrome Australia, Hugo actually lectures medical students and staff about inclusive communication. He also works as part of a group that educates the government on health issues for people living with disability.
His ultimate goal is to be recognised as an eligible athlete in the Paralympics – a path not currently available for people living with Down syndrome.
“I would like to represent Australia as a Paralympian, hopefully by the Brisbane 2034 Olympic Games,” he said. “If this happens, it would mean that change has been made.”
