Oisin O'Callaghan is a young man going places - fast.
In November the 17-year-old realised his childhood ambition when he became a world champion mountain biker.
The Limerick teenager won the UCI Junior Mountain Bike World Championships which were held in Austria.
It was the first time that any Irish rider won gold at the event, and that feat has given O'Callaghan the hunger to keep the titles coming.
RTÉ Sport Young Sportsperson of the Year Oisín O'Callaghan tells us about his road to success in becoming Junior World Downhill Mountain Bike Champion #RTESport #RTESportAwards pic.twitter.com/tzrGVZJmxx
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) January 28, 2021
"To make history in Ireland, to be the first one to be a downhill mountain bike world champion, was incredible," O'Callaghan said after being named the RTÉ Sport Young Sportsperson of the Year.
"Downhill is more of one person and the track, time-trial type of event rather than several people on the track racing against each other at the same time.
"There's a laser at the start and when you cross that laser beam the time starts. When you cross the finish line the time stops. The tracks are typically three to four minutes. Whoever gets the fastest time with the least mistakes wins.
"It all started with seeing my Dad going out mountain biking. Living close to the Ballyhoura Mountains, it was natural to go out and have fun with my friends. It progressed from there."
O'Callaghan regularly speaks to professional downhill mountain biker Steve Peat, the Sheffield man he idolised growing up.
He's also benefiting from having a purpose-built course to train on. It was constructed on his uncle's land to aid his development.
"I've always looked up to Steve, who my Dad actually wrote an email to when I was really young for my birthday," O'Callaghan added.
"Since I won I've been talking to him the whole time.
"Ever since I was young my Dad has had to bring me away to the UK and Europe to ride tracks up to the standard that we race in the likes of World Cups. Now I'm able to ride a track that's up to standard to practice on.
"I'd like to be Junior World champion again."
