Alex Rice on the winners podium at the 2026 Royal Adelaide Show; and in full swing during competition.
Canowindra’s Alex Rice, aka Big Al, has been cutting and sawing timber for the last nine days at the Royal Adelaide Show.
Alex and Sydney-based chopper Even McBurney were selected by the NSW Axemans Association to complete in the Junior Invitational Round Robin Event at the Royal Adelaide Show representing NSW.
The event permits each State to select two competitors, with NSW, QLD, VIC, SA, and WA all represented, and winners awarded on a total point score accumulated for placings over nine days of competition.
Across an exhausting program, Alex chopped and sawed 29 times during the week, making three Adult finals. In the Junior Invitational Round Robin competition Alex secured four first places, one second place, two third places and one sixth place – securing himself the title win.
Alex would like to thank Mr Bennett, Mr Barrett and Mr Coffee for their coaching throughout the week and Andrew Kelly for making his axes. He would also like to thank Tuatahi for sponsoring this Junior Event, and his Dad Matt for taking the time off work to drive him down and setting up his blocks.
You can catch Alex in action, with woodchopping held locally this coming Saturday at the Eugowra Show, and next Saturday, 26 September at the Canowindra Show.