Heroes HQ decorated the central Ballarat shop front in green-and-gold ahead of Rizzo’s 1500-metre wheel race final where he will take on the Australian legend Kurt Fearnley.

This is 17-year-old Rizzo’s first Commonwealth Games and Fearnley’s farewell.

Heroes HQ owner Jeannine le Vaillant said Rizzo’s journey to reach the international stage had captured interest and support in the comic world across the globe.

Ms le Vaillant has been fielding queries from Sydney, Singapore, England and the United States about Rizzo's race progress.

“Those in the States, because they aren’t part of the Commonwealth Games, think it’s quaint. I’ve been trying to explain what the Games are about,” Ms le Vaillant said.

“The comic book world is connected on social media and Sam’s in my updates. They’re all right behind him and we are right behind him – we think Sam’s amazing for what he has done.”

Heroes HQ helped drive fundraising, calling on the comic book community, to send Rizzo to his first World Para-Athletics Junior Championships in Switzerland last year. He returned with a silver and three bronze for his super efforts.

Bus drivers in Buninyong, where Rizzo lives, helped fire up a campaign with a sausage sizzle to send Rizzo on the road to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. CDC Ballarat gave Rizzo a financial boost late last year.

All are keen to see what Rizzo can continue to serve up on the track.

The Damascus College year 12 student trains six days a week, between school and work, and is coached by Geelong-based Paralympic 800m champion Richard Colman.

Ms le Vaillant said the humble worker, well-known for being able to answer obscure comic questions, was a Ballarat hero.

Supporters could hardly wait to see how Rizzo’s next sporting chapters play out.

Meanwhile, in-form Ballarat javelin thrower Kathryn Mitchell will stake her claim for gold on the Gold Coast on Wednesday.

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