Tree-mendous effort by old man Adam

When Adam Cozzitorto says he will go out on a limb to achieve his dreams, he’s speaking literally.

The 40-year-old left his younger rivals blushing after he won the Far North Queensland Tree Climbing Championship in Cairns at the weekend, qualifying him for the state titles in Brisbane in August.

An arborist by trade, Townsville’s high-in-the-sky tree man proved that experience counts when he beat climbers more than half his age.

Contestants who travelled from all over Australia to compete were set five different challenges — work climb, aerial rescue, belayed speed climb and throwline.

“It was a thrill to win, because I only just qualified for the Masters, finishing third overall for the day,” Cozzitorto said.

“I thought I’d make the Masters, but wasn’t really expecting to win because I’m getting old now.”

In fact, he was the oldest competitor at the event, but Cozzitorto — who has tree climbing in his blood, with his dad being a tree lopper — showed there’s no substitute for experience.

The competition attracted competitors aged from 23 years, but the old fart won it,” he said with a laugh. “They probably didn’t like it too much — and me coming from Townsville too, I was the only one, so that was a bonus.”

His victory secured flights and accommodation in Brisbane for the Queensland championships. It is the second time Cozzitorto has qualified for the state titles after he made his debut in 2008, but his intent on going a step further this time around.

“I’d like to make it into the Queensland team, so I’ve got to finish in the top five,” he said.

— Antony Stewart