Goulburn Sporting Hall of Fame inductee Tom Toparis is looking forward to getting back on the track after taking a year off to recover from surgery. Photo: Benro Racing.
Superbike champion Tom Toparis is one of four elite sportspeople to be inducted into the Goulburn Sporting Hall of Fame in August.
The 2022 class of inductees also includes international cricket umpire Claire Polosak, kick boxer Amy Kolosque and target shooter David Wright.
At only 22 year of age, Tom says he’s “very humbled” to be included among Goulburn’s most outstanding sportspeople, and he’s particularly impressed to be named alongside motorcyclists Jamie and Ian Cunningham, and Troy Herfoss.
“It’s a massive honour when you look at the list of legends in there,” he said.
The Double Australian Supersport champion is planning a return to competition in the next couple of months after taking a year off to undergo arm reconstruction surgery to repair an injury he sustained in 2011.
“I’ve been riding again for the last six weeks and hopefully I’ll be back racing very soon,” he said.
He’s looking forward to returning to the United Kingdom to take part in the British Supersport championships later this year.
“It will be good to get over there and give it another crack,” he said.
“Hopefully by the start of the 2023 season, it will be full gas again.”
Tom started racing superbikes at the age of 16 at Goulburn’s Wakefield Park, but with the use of the raceway now restricted and its future under a cloud, he has been forced to travel to Sydney to train.
He said having the racetrack 15 minutes from home was what inspired him to take up superbike racing and he hoped to now make it a full-time career.
Tom Toparis is looking forward to getting back on the race track. Photo: Benro Racing.
The son of Richard and Vanessa Toparis, Tom currently works as a carpenter with his family’s business.
After a two year absence due to COVID-19, the Goulburn Sporting Hall of Fame will honour the foursome at the Veolia Centre on 13 August.
Sporting Hall of Fame Chair Margaret O’Neill OAM said the induction would be a very special night for the new inductees and their families.
“This year, our inductees represent a very diverse range of sports and achievements,” Mrs O’Neill said.
“We haven’t had the opportunity to induct any new members since 2018, so we would love to see a huge turnout to honour the achievements of these four very fine locals.”
The Goulburn Sporting Hall of Fame acknowledges the contribution made by local athletes who are, or have been recognised as, an ‘Australian Champion’ or ‘International Champion’ in any nationally recognised sport.
The Hall of Fame also features a comprehensive representation of items donated by these gifted local athletes and is situated in the main foyer area of the Veolia Arena on Braidwood Road, Goulburn.
Past inductees to the Hall of Fame include rugby union player Simon Poidevin, cricketer Trevor Bayliss and rugby league player Gavin Miller.
Tickets for the presentation evening are $65 per person, which includes a pre-dinner drink, two course dinner and celebratory cake, and can be purchased at the Veolia Centre, or by calling the Recreation Facility Manager on 4823 4901.
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