Brayden Meyer and Jodie Beutel & Awatea Moore Barrett axed the competition, taking out the gold medals at the 2025 STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Australian Pro, Women’s & Rookie Championship respectively in Coolangatta on Saturday, 13 September. Now offi cially a 3-time Australian Pro Championship winner, Meyer battled it out against 11 of Australia’s best STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® athletes in the Original Extreme Sport, beating runner up, Laurence O’Toole, by 8 points in a thrilling Grand Final of the knock-out competition.
Meyer set the pace in the fi rst four events, looking like he might sweep the competition without any adversary. Though Laurence O’Toole began to close in, once Meyer had reached the fi nal discipline, he only needed a score on the board to clinch the Championship.
Meyer said: “This is incredible. I’ve been training hard for this, it's been tough work, I’m a little emotional about it all now. I have to thank my family for their incredible support, and my great mate and competitor, Jamie Head. I couldn’t do it without them. It was great to build a lead and just need a successful cut in the fi nal event to claim the victory. I can’t wait to head to Milan to fi ght for another World Championship!
In the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Australian Women’s Championship, Jodie Beutel edged out fi ve of the country’s best female TIMBERSPORTS® athletes to walk away with the acclaimed title for the second time. An early disqualifi cation in the stock saw for Queensland’s Takiah Moore Barrett hindered her chances at claiming the top step, ultimately settling for third place behind Amanda Beams, in what was a tight competition.
The STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Australian Rookie Championship, which took place on Friday, 12 September, also featured an impressive display of performances from the nation's top emerging athletes. Takiah’s brother, Awatea Moore Barrett, was also disqualifi ed for his attempt at the Spring Board. But unlike his sister, Awatea managed to chop his way back up the ranks and retained his title as the Australian TIMBERSPORTS® Rookie Champion.
STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Event Director Renee Kitto said the event was a huge success in Coolangatta, with all three championships being held over one axe-ion packed weekend for the fi rst time ever.
“Bringing the Australian Pro, Women’s & Rookie TIMBERSPORTS® Championships together on the Gold Coast to compete in front of our biggest crowd ever is a testament to the country’s growing love for the sport. Watching
Brayden, Jodie & Awatea give their all across the disciplines is a thrill as they continue to compete at the highest level.”
Brayden Meyer will now represent Australia at the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® World Championships in Milan in October, where the Chopperoos will seek to defend their World Team title once again.
