World champions 2014: Jason Wynyard

Jason Wynyard. Photo / Ben Fraser

Jason Wynyard went pro the same year as the All Blacks.

A couple of that 1996 All Black group threaten to find their boots for a bit of social rugby these days but nothing like the top-grade action they delivered in their international pomp.

Wynyard is still going strong and pocketed his 11th world title this season. A shrinking range of events means he dovetails those with work for Stihl but his competitive instincts remain intact.

His massive 130kg, 1.95m frame protests more than it used to but Wynyard brings his decades of experience and unbroken spirit to counter those gripes.

"The key is making sure you train hard to do all the disciplines well and never give up. That's the contest and life isn't it," he told the Weekend Herald.

It's an attitude Wynyard has carried since his first foray into the world of wood-chopping. He was 12 but goaded into pitting his skills against a bunch of much older teenagers at a festival in Mamaku.

Wynyard finished last but instead of ditching the sport, that result boosted his determination to succeed. He was hunted by rugby, boxing and wrestling coaches for his talents but none of those sports brought the passion he felt for wood-chopping.

They didn't deliver the same destructive fire he felt when he was poised for an attack in events like the underhand chop, springboard or standing block chop. It was all up to Wynyard and his axe, his fate was in his massive hands.

If he prepared hard and made sure he honed his fitness and axes, Wynyard had sorted the technical side of the sport to give any opponent a shake.

His next major target is an event in Tasmania in January while he hopes to amp up his competitive juices at a carnival here in the new year. If his body concurs and the stars align, Wynyard wants to pitch for another world title later in the year.

As he takes his backhand grip on his Tuatahi Racing Axe and eyes his next log, Woodward goes through some uncomplicated mental drills. He is confident but never assumes he will triumph.

"I've never found a piece of wood that beat me," he said.

"You draw your random piece of wood, look at it for about 30 seconds and then work out how to cut it. You can be wrong. You never know until you put your axe into it."