Micah competes at the Aims Games in Tauranga. Photo: AIMS Games
Taupo's Micah Wallace has picked up three gold medals and a silver at the AIMS Games — and that's on top of holding a world title in BMX.
By Dan Hutchinson
She competed in four events at the recent AIMS Games – a national sporting event for intermediate-age children I Tauranga.
She took first place in BMX time trials, BMX individual racing and enduro mountain biking, and finished second in the Year 7 cross-country relay with her teammates.
The AIMS Games results came off the back of a strong showing at the BMX World Championships in Brisbane, in July, where she finished World No. 1 in the cruiser class for 12-and-under girls and World No. 2 in the 20-inch class.
"I got World 1 on the first day, and I was very surprised, and then I had a lot of confidence on the second day," Micah says.
"On the second day, I got World 2 — and I was very happy with that."
The two bike classes demand different skills. Her father, Adam Wallace, explains that the cruiser runs on 24-inch wheels while the standard racing BMX uses 20-inch wheels.
Micah with the prizes she won at the BMX World Championships in Brisbane. Photo: Dan Hutchinson
One is faster, while the other is more nimble and agile.
"Both are very fast — a bullet train and a sports car. Different characteristics."
Micah also landed a backflip at the Spa Jam competition in Taupō in May, something she'd been working towards in a foam pit before taking it to competition.
"Me and my dad made a bet. If I did the backflip, I could go to Australia with my friend and do some BMX and dye my hair."
The reward trip to Australia also served as a pre-Worlds training run on the Brisbane track alongside friend Addie Harrowfield, who went on to claim World No. 1 in the 20-inch 13-14 year girls class at the same championships.
Her brother Donovan is currently training to trial for the Mighty Elevens, a trans-Tasman BMX team competition that has been running since 1989, while brother Harley also competes.
"Lots of rivalry, but good training partners," Adam says of the siblings.
With the AIMS Games done, Micah's attention now turns to the secondary schools mountain bike nationals, which covers downhill, enduro and cross-country disciplines.