Rashid Kabba and his family came to Australia from war-torn Sierra Leone in search of a better life.
Now, the gifted young sprinter will represent Australia at the 2024 World Athletics U20 Championships.
One of six siblings, Kabba lives with his parents at Toongabbie in Sydney's west.
He arrived as a toddler in Sydney in 2006 and discovered his passion for running at the age of seven.
"When my dad put me in athletics, I instantly fell in love with it and ever since I've been trying to get better," he told AAP.
He has smashed club records and collected a bevy of state and national titles.
Kabba's next test is to compete for Australia in the 110m hurdles.
"I want to get faster, and it led me to get selected, which is very crazy to me," he said.
"I never thought I would get in this position."
Asked about the secret to his success, Kabba's response was simple.
"I got to this place where I am now because of all the efforts I put in training," he said.
Kabba first made the Australian team aged 15, but the meet was cancelled because of COVID-19.
The 18-year-old was thrilled to be picked in the Australian squad for Peru.
"I'm a little bit nervous, but I'm not too worried," he said.
"I've done the training and all I must do is just replicate it on the track."
Kabba is confident of making the final.
"I can see myself getting up, breaking my personal best," he said.
"This is probably the biggest meet I've been to, so there's always going to be a little bit of pressure.
"But I'm not thinking about other athletes or how they're going to do, I believe in myself."
His athletics club part-sponsored the trip and Kabba crowdfunded the rest.
Coach Dan Suchy heaped praised on the emerging athlete, describing him as an entertainer.
"He is very popular," Suchy said.
"He often dances before and after his performances, showing how much he enjoys competition."
The sprinter's grit and determination in competition and training had taken him from a locally ranked athlete to a global one, Suchy said.
"Making the 110m hurdles final would be seen as a high level of success and a just reward. This is all I expect of him."
Kabba and his teammates leave on Saturday.
