CARRYING the weight of a nation of his ample shoulders, 2014 has been a whirlwind for Tumut teenager Aydan McMahon.

Six months after taking up weightlifting, the 17-year-old has broken two Australian records and five NSW records.

He's currently ranked number one in Australia for his age group and holds one national title and four NSW titles.

The next step for the ambitious Tumut High student is taking on the world with McMahon one of two athletes representing Australia in weightlifting at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China next month.

Earning his place in the team following success at the Oceania Youth Weightlifting Championships in May, the year 11 student was amazed when he found out he made the team.

"When I heard I was so excited I couldn't control myself," McMahon said.

"It's going to be so good and I can't wait."

A third-placed finish at the Oceania titles in Noumea, New Caledonia gave McMahon a taste of what it's like to compete on the international stage.

In New Caledonia he competed against teenagers from more than 25 countries, but he's hungry for more on the larger scale at the Youth Olympics

"It's going to be such an eye opener to see what my competition is going to be like for the rest of my life," McMahon said.

"I'm starting to take it fairly seriously and hopefully I will be seeing these guys again in four years."

Growing up with a hockey background McMahon has always dreamed of representing Australia.

His road to becoming a weightlifter started as a way to keep fit for hockey, but after excelling in weightlifting his priorities have changed.

"I definitely want to keep going and I've started my training for the Commonwealth Games and that's what my sights are set on," McMahon said.

"It's what I'm striving for and hopefully (next month) isn't a once in a lifetime opportunity."

Naturally athletic, his road to taking up weightlifting started when incorporating a mix of marital arts and CrossFit classes with his family in Tumut.

Showing natural talent he used his initiation with CrossFit to mimic the explosive energy required for the high pressure sport.

"I started comparing the numbers I was lifting in CrossFit to the numbers people my age were lifting so I realised I was actually pretty good with the numbers I was pulling," the teen said.

"I went to one of the best coaches in Sydney - Luke Borreggine - and he looked at my form and said I potential in the sport of weightlifting.

"So I stopped all the CrossFit to pursue my goal of Olympic lifting."

As part of his all-in approach McMahon has a strict diet and training regime which involves two daily workouts and two trips to Sydney each month to check in with Borreggine and review his progress.

With under a month until McMahon takes off to China he's busily preparing under the watchful eye of father Andrew.