Tom, 16, has had a black belt since he was 12.

He is the state taekwondo champion in his age and weight group and was recently selected in the national team to compete at the British Open in Manchester on September 25.

He contested the US and Korean open events early this year and will be at the Australian Open and national championships in Canberra on October

21.

Tom trains under dual Olympian Carlo Massimino.

His parents Lisa and George Afonczenko support him, but Tom's travels to various competitions have strained the family budget.

They had to fork out $12,000 for his travel costs and competition entry fees over the past two years.

He is looking for a sponsor for his international travels for the next two years.

"Taekwondo is the biggest martial arts sport in the world, but in Australia it's not a top-end sport. To be successful in taekwondo, you have to go overseas and rack up points to accrue an international ranking," George said.

Tom will need to compete in about three international competitions a year for the next two-three years to be in contention for an international ranking.

"I just love it and I'm good at it.

"But it's really hard on us.

"Mum and dad really help me in every way they can, they work so hard to fund all of my trips.

"It's helped me a lot with other sports, with my fitness, [and] I've met a lot of great people along the way."

Tom is aiming to make the Australian Olympic team for Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

"I'm training towards it and I think I can do it. You have to do a lot of training, but it will be all worthwhile when I get there.

"It's always felt like a dream to me, but now it's becoming more of a reality."

When he's not training, or going to school, Tom works part-time at a restaurant to help pay for his competitions.

Tom has inspired his brother Will, 11, to follow in his footsteps into international taekwondo competitions.

Details on sponsorship: contact Lisa or George Afonczenko, 54295050.