Blackheath native woodchopper Brad De Losa is a world champion - again.
Competing as one of the top eight international lumberjacks at the Stihl Timbersports Champions Trophy event in Florence, Italy, earlier this month De Losa smashed the competition to emerge victorious.
In the process he set a new world record, cutting up four tree trunks in less than 58 seconds in four disciplines: hot saw (a customised chainsaw), single buck saw, standing block chop and underhand chop.
More than 2000 spectators were present at Florence's famous Piazzale Michelangelo on Saturday May 16, joined by a television and online crowd of millions, to watch De Losa set the record, defeating the USA's Arden Cogar Jr (second) in the process to take out the champion's trophy.
Rounding out the placings were Jason Wynyard (NZ, third) and Stirling Hart (Canada, fourth).
It's been a phenomenal rise for De Losa since he won his first woodchopping competition at age 16.
His star has continued to rise culminating in the back to back wins in the Champion's Trophy.
"It feels unbelievable," said De Losa. "I had a little bit of trouble at the world championships last year and was disqualified in the hot saw which dropped me down the placings a bit.
"So I was a bit disappointed with that and it really makes up for it to come out and win the Champions Trophy twice in a row."
"I was very happy with the time, to get under a minute in that race twice is quite hard and it's a really great achievement," he said.
Mr De Losa grew up in Blackheath, where his family ran a fruit and vegetable shop for years. He did his first chop in the Megalong in a junior competition.
He now lives in Lithgow with his wife and two children.
Although he has competed in prestigious events across the globe, De Losa considers winning the 15" Standing Block World Championship at Sydney Royal Easter Show as his most rewarding woodchopping moment.
The world champion thanks his sponsors for their support both in the world championships and over the years.
