After claiming second place in the renowned Julia Creek race last year, the 14-year-old is keen to go one better this time around.

“Last year I was runner-up by 20 seconds,” Nicholson said.

“The winner was in a different wave to me which made it harder as I couldn’t see him in front of me.”

Brayden, who attends Good Shepherd Catholic College, competed in his very first triathlon at Dirt n Dust in 2012.

In 2013, he won the junior race in what he described as his greatest sporting achievement to date.

Brayden’s climb through the triathlon ranks started all the way back as a swimmer.

“Originally I did competition swimming. I tried to get to state level. It was difficult because I was swimming against older people.”

Brayden, who is coached by Joshua Duff, soon realised his potential as a triathlete and eventually dropped competitive swimming.

“Training for swimming five times a week plus triathlon training was too much.”

The Isa Rats member described his decision to focus on a new sport as very positive.

“Going from swimming in a pool into a lake or ocean, it’s a great step because you don’t know what’s underneath you. In a pool you have a line, and you follow it. It’s easy to get from one end to the other. But out at the lake, you have to look up.

‘‘There are many useful techniques in open water swimming.”

Brayden aspires to the likes of former Dirt n Dust winner Sam Betten, who he hopes to have the opportunity to race when he becomes a senior next year.

“He generally comes out to the rural communities and does coaching courses and skills. He’s an all-round nice guy.”

After Dirt n Dust, Brayden has his sights on Queensland state trial selections after missing out on this year’s carnival in Hervey Bay due to Cyclone Nathan.

“Spending a year and a bit training for the North West Queensland Championships and getting turned around because of the cyclone that hit the coast was a bit depressing. I have just got to keep training.”

Brayden, who turns 15 in December, also wants to give the ironman event a go one day but for now is focusing on cutting down his personal best time in the triathlon.

“At the moment, for the sprint race, it’s one hour and 10 to 15 minutes. I’d like to get it down to 55 minutes or one hour.”