11 April 2008

VU student and wrestler Ali Abdo will journey to Beijing for his third Olympic Games.

Ali is currently studying his Masters in Osteopathy and has been a student at VU throughout most of his Olympic career aswell as working as a staff member in the University's Sport and Fitness Centres.

Ali keeps a hectic schedule  balancing wrestling with his studies, attending VU five days a week and working part time. He was recognised at the inaugural Victoria University Sport Awards in 2002 with a University Full Blue Sport Award following his representation at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Ali was also awarded VU's Male Athlete of the Year in 2004 following his second Olympic appearance in Athens where he was Australia's sole wrestling representative.

The two time Oceanic wrestling champion has kept the same coach throughout his 18 year career, Sam Parker.

Abdo an Altona North resident started off wrestling in Footscray and is now wrestling in Altona North under the Hawthorn Youth Club banner. He leaves Australian shores in July for Japan where he and his team will spend eight days acclimatising for Beijing where he competes on August 20.