Rory Meek (6) stood out from the crowd with his yellow helmet in the final of the world BMX championships in Auckland last week.
His father, Steve Meek, wanted Rory and brother Toby (8) to be easily identifiable for grandparents as the boys raced around the track at the Vector Arena.
''I spray-painted their helmets with yellow paint the night before they raced,'' he said.
The Meek brothers both competed for New Zealand at the world championships. Rory was the only member of an Otago club to get a medal when he finished third in the boys aged 5 and 6 grade.
Mounting the podium for the medal ceremony was a scary moment for the youngster.
''I thought I would fall off,'' he said.
''But I was happy to get the medal.''
Proud grandparents Rosemary and Andrew Meek were in the Auckland arena to watch the boys race.
''I was very excited to see Rory on the podium,'' his grandmother said.
''Rory was second-last out of the blocks and it was exciting to see him come through the field.''
Rory won a bronze medal behind Benaiah Richards (Australia) and Sam Cannon (New Zealand).
Rory and Toby both started riding at the age of 2 and have no fears when competing in BMX or mountain biking.
''The boys live on wheels,'' their mother, Donna Meek, said.
''They ride on bikes, scooters and long boards.''
Rory had seven races to reach the final in Auckland.
Toby reached the last 16 in the boys aged 9 grade. He missed the quarterfinals by one place.
The Meeks have lived in Hong Kong for the past 10 years but come home twice a year to visit their parents and for BMX racing.
Both boys were born in Dunedin.
