Olympic canoer Sebastian Marczak has teamed up with Canberra product Marcelo Cabezas in a bid to win gold at Tokyo 2020.
Marczak recruited Cabezas from dragon boating 12 months ago and earlier this month the duo took out the C2 200m and C2 1000m titles at the Australian championships.
Marczak has been paddling for 20 years, representing Australia at multiple world championships and the London Olympics, before he was appointed the national development coach for sprint canoes.
Cabezas is a member of Burley Griffin Canoe Club, but completes his training with Marczak at the Sydney Olympic Course in Penrith.
"I'm getting Marcelo up to world standard and then we'll compete in the double internationally and it's looking very promising so far," Marczak said.
"Sprint season is from December to March and he came up almost every weekend to train here at one of the best facilities in the world, so we try to maximise the facilities here."
Cabezas, 21, admitted it's surreal to imagine himself as an Olympian but emphasised he is prepared to do whatever it takes over the next three years.
"I've always liked being outdoors and on the water and being competitive racing and staying fit, but the long term goal is definitely to make the Olympics," Cabezas said.
"I'm new to the sport and I've got a long way to go but if you believe anything is possible and put the hard work in, and if I can keep my head on straight, I think it's possible."
The exercise science and sports management student and the University of Canberra believes his degree will help him achieve his dream.
"Everything is easier to learn and look into the context of if I'm actually doing it, and I don't muck around when I'm training," Cabezas said.
"When I decided to take canoeing seriously I basically dropped everything, from December onwards I stopped drinking and watched what I was eating.
"There's no greater motivator than becoming an Olympian, it's the epitome of sport and just competing at that level is a massive achievement."
