He will be front and centre when the Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon returns to Dunedin in March.
Matthew said if he could do the TRYathlon, anyone could.
"Life is for living and I don’t let anything stop me."
Matthew was born with spina bifida and his parents were told he would never walk.
However that is not stopping him looking forward to being able to do the TRYathlon this year.
"I can walk, swim, play wheelchair rugby and take part in all aspects of life.
"I challenge myself, especially at school camp — zip-lining, archery, sailing, paint ball and a giant waterslide."
Matthew’s mother Andrea Russell said his swimming had improved, "so he should go faster in the pool".
He was not nervous because he had the help of support worker Omri Reading, who would aid him at transitions and with anything Matthew needed.
He was also really proud his little brother James Russell (7) was going to do the TRYathlon this year.
"He has been really encouraging James," she said.
A spokeswoman said the last time the TRYathlon took place was in March 2020, with lockdowns leading to the event’s cancellation in 2021.
In 2022 it was again cancelled out of caution around large events due to Covid.
Up to 1200 children across Otago were expected to swim,bike and run their way to the finish line at Taieri College in Mosgiel.
World triathlon athletes Olivia Thornbury and Janus Staufenberg, as well as White Ferns cricketer Suzie Bates, would be handing out medals at the finish line.
The TRYathlon was designed for children aged 6-15 years of all sporting abilities to help them stay active and healthy through a programme of participation.
Children could enter as an individual or as part of a team of two to swim, cycle, and run their way around age appropriate courses, the spokeswoman said.
The series had been running since 1992 and to date had seen more than 460,000 young people take part.
TRYathlon details
Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon
Sunday, March 5 from 9am
Taieri College, Mosgiel
Registrations for children aged 6-15 are now open until noon March 3 by visiting tryathlon.co.nz
Children can also complete a personal challenge anytime, anywhere at trychallenge.co.nz
