LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A local 8-year-old is headed to the BMX Racing World Championships.

Madden Atherton, who attends St. Albert the Great Parish School, is one of 30 8-year-olds in the country headed to Rock Hill, South Carolina, to compete for the U.S.

His father, William Atherton, who is the president of the nonprofit Derby City BMX in Louisville, said the championship is one step below the Olympics.

"He's just one of those kids that pushes hard and he gets it," Atherton said.

Madden is currently the only national rider in the state of Kentucky. 

"I just want to have fun and stay on my bike," he said.

The Athertons plan to leave Thursday morning for South Carolina. To celebrate, Madden's class held a U.S.A. sendoff for him Wednesday afternoon.

The BMX Racing World Championships start next week.

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