It might have only lasted for a few minutes, but Australia’s mixed 4x100m relay team can call themselves world record holders in the new event.
The relay run in the morning was one of many impressive efforts on day two of the World Athletics U20 Championships, with nine personal bests from the Australian team.
Their time of 41.64 lasted no more than five minutes before Great Britain ran a slightly faster time to swiftly break the record.
The team of Uwezo Lebenda (QLD, Gary Cairns), Maya Taber (NSW, Peter Galanopoulos) , Kelechi Ekwomadu (SA, Russell and Thewbelle Philp (QLD, Leanne Hines Smith) qualified second for the final on Saturday night, with only Great Britain ahead.
“We are hungry for more,” Lubenda said after the race.
“We know we are in contention for a medal, so we are very excited to come back for the final.
“Despite Great Britain getting the world record from us, the only thing that really matters is the gold medal.”
Australia’s proud tradition in the middle distance races continues, with breakout performances in the 1500m by Kieran Shepherd (ACT, Des Proctor), Alexander Cameron-Smith (VIC, Peter Burke), Milla Roberts (QLD, Jayden Russ) and Mia Gray (VIC, Jeff Riseley).
Shepherd, 17, qualified third fastest for the 1500m final with a time of 3:42.94, only Cameron Myers has run faster for an Australian in that event.
“I’m so grateful coming into this I was a bit nervous seeing my qualifying time was a lot slower than the other boys, but I had to just trust myself when I got to the line,” she said.
Roberts made the final of the 1500m after finishing third in her heat with a time of 4:19.55.
Both Smith and Gray also ran personal bests, with Gray running 4:15.85 in a gutsy race to just miss out on the final.
At only 16, Gray ran the fastest time for an Australian in history for the U20s in the 1500m.
As one of Australia’s youngest team members, she has a very bright future ahead.
In the 400m, Alice Hill (NSW, Tim Eschebach) ran two PBS in two days, running 53.28 to qualify eighth for the final after finishing second in her semifinal.
At only 17, this is her first major international competition and she has nothing to lose in the final.
“It feels incredible, it hasn’t soaked in yet, I’m just so, so happy,” she said.
“My goal coming into this was to make the semi and get a PB, and I’ve made the final now and a PB so I can’t complain.”
Shari Hurdman (NSW, Tim Eschebach) finished 4th in her semi, while Chase Grant (NSW, Melissa Smith) and Seth Kennedy (QLD, Brett Robinson) also were unlucky not to make it, finishing 4th and 7th in their semifinals respectively.
All three had fantastic races in the morning 400m heats.
At the end of the Heptathlon, Isabella Wing (TAS, Wim Vaeseen) and Bailey Van Den Broek (TAS, Simon Bennett finished 17th and 18th respectively.
In other results from the morning session in Eugene:
Daniel Okerenyang (NSW )15th in the Triple Jump 15.50m
Lian Anagnostopoulos (NSW, Leo Dulay) 13th in the Triple Jump, 15.62m
Manaia Coulter (NSW, David Bruce & Lawrie Barclay) 18th in the Shot Put, 14.99m
Lauren Kelly (VIC, Dale Stevenson ) 21st in the Shot Put, 14.87m
Jonathan Neethling (VIC, Charlotte Wilson) 20th in the 3000m Steeplechase
Will Tait (NSW, Terry West) 6th in 400m Hurdles heat 54.72
Ethan Williams (NSW, Peter Gentz) 8th in 400m Hurdles head 59.61
By Luke Dennehy with David Tarbotton, Australian Athletics
Posted 7/8/2026
