The Australian World Athletics U20 Championships can walk away from the famous Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, USA so proud of everything they have achieved, on and off the track and field.
Australia won six medals in total, two gold, three silver and one bronze.
Only in Peru two years ago in 2024 and in Sydney in 1996 has the team won more medals at a World Athletics U20 Junior Championships.
The two gold medalists, 5m race walker Isaac Beacroft (NSW, David Beacroft) and high jumper Izobelle Louison-Roe (NSW, Karen Roe) had the most pressure of all the team leading into Eugene, and both were emphatic with how they won their events.
Beacroft was impressive, winning the gold medal just over a week after he did the same thing in the 10km walk at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
While Louison-Roe was one of the hero athletes for World Athletics for the Championships, selected as one of five athletes to be part of the opening event press conference.
Team Leader Craig Pickering was very encouraged by the results, and how the athletes conducted themselves throughout the entire trip.
“The main thing we want from the Championships is for the athletes to get close to their personal bests, and most of them have done that,” he said.
“It means they have been really prepared well and I think they all did a great job.”
Pickering was encouraged by some of the performances of our younger athletes, who may not have medalled but have set themselves up for more success in the future including the next World Athletics U20 Championships in two years time in 2028.
That includes 17-year-old Kieran Shepherd (ACT, Des Proctor), who came eighth in the men’s 1500m, 16-year-old Jamison Harding (VIC, Mark Stewart) 15-year-old Eliza Lawton (NSW, Vaughan Lawton) who came ninth in the women’s 3000m, and 16-year-old Mia Gray (VIC, Jeff Riseley) who ran a gutsy sixth in her heat and won over many athletics observers with that effort.
“With the younger ones they are still eligible in two years time, so the experience of what they have got here will set them up for even more success in two years time,” Pickering said.
The past few years Australia has built up its’ relay program, and that includes the U20s who had some very impressive results in Eugene.
The relay teams won silver and a bronze (women’s 4x400m and mixed 4x400m) had two fourth places in the women’s 4x100m and men’s 4x400m, and the mixed 4x100m were well placed and showed so much heart before not finishing.
Legendary commentator and broadcaster, the Seven Network’s Bruce McAvaney, who was in Eugene calling for World Athletics was full of praise for the Australian team.
“Overall it was a brilliant performance by the Australian team,” he said.
“Six medals, only twice have we better that.
“Two gold medals equals our best ever.
“So to Isaac and Izobelle, well done you are on the top of the podium, and to the rest of the team, you should be so proud.”
The World U20s have proved to be a breeding ground of success for Australians.
The likes of Cameron Myers, Torrie Lewis, Claudia Hollingsworth, Peyton Craig and Delta Amidzovski all competed two years ago in Peru and have gone to success around the world.
No doubt some of this World Athletics U20 Junior team will end up going to do exactly the same thing.
AUSTRALIAN UNDER 23 TEAM BY THE NUMBERS
Athletes: 73
Personal bests
Individual events: 24
Relays: 3
Medals
Total: 6
2 Gold (5km race walk Isaac Beacroft and high jumper Izobelle Louison-Roe)
3 Silver (800m Daniel Williams, long jump Mason McGroder, women’s 4x400m relay team (Shari Hurdman, Xanthee Watts, Charlotte McAuliffe, Alice Hill)
1 Bronze (Mixed 4 x 400m Dylan Ruming, Xanthee Watts, Fred Hamblin, Charlotte McAuliffe)
Medal table
Fifth
Placing table
10th
Top eight finishes
11
Top sixteen places
21
Big risers from entry ranks to places:
Kieran Shepherd 1500m (26→8)
Harry Halleen 800m (25→9)
Wyatt Hill (24→9)
Xavier Davie (28→15)
Finals reached:
31
By Luke Dennehy, Australian Athletics
Posted 11/8/2026
