Makayla Elcoate

At just 14-years-old, Makayla Elcoate has earned her first Australian tracksuit for the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships.

One of Australia’s youngest athletes for the championships to be hosted in New Delhi, the Sunshine Coast product brings youthful energy to the team – smiling every step as she prepares to compete in the 100m and Long Jump T44.

First competing in athletics in 2022 after her leg-lengthening surgery, Elcoate learned about multi-class athletics and pursued it with immediate effect, picking up state and national medals in her early competitions.

“The want to improve always and be better than I was yesterday or at the last competition, striving for a new personal best is always my goal,” Elcoate said.

“I train because I want to excel and improve, and training with able bodied athletes, they can run faster and jump further than I can, so I need to train hard and push myself to keep up with them.”

Elcoate has a fibular hemimelia and drop foot to her right leg and foot, with her calf muscles and tendons not formed properly and ankle joints fused together.

“I have to pick my foot up higher to walk and run so that I don’t trip on my toes.  It requires a bit of concentration and I do tend to trip over a bit.”

That doesn’t stop her on or off the track, with the 14-year-old enjoying a range of hobbies from netball and dancing to doing her friend’s hair.

“I love to dance and have been dancing since I was about two years old.  I have danced in full leg plasters during treatment.  I do find it a bit difficult sometimes because I can’t point my toes, and it can be a bit painful, but it’s fun and great stretch work for my leg.”

“I like science and love animals – especially dogs.  I have two dogs but would like more.  One day I hope to work with animals for my job.”