It was a chance view of a YouTube video when he was eight that inspired young Townsville athlete Uwezo Lubenda to enter athletics.
Lubenda, 17 (QLD, Gary Cairns), stumbled upon one of Bolt’s famous world records and the rest is history.
“I think I was on my laptop and I was watching YouTube and I saw Usain Bolt’s race from 2009,” he said.
“I clicked on it and I wasn’t into athletics at the time and I watched it, and ever since then I was like, I want to run as fast as Usain Bolt.
“He kind of inspired me to work hard and showed what it takes to become an Olympic athlete.
“Ever since then I fell in love with the sport and have worked hard to make sure I get the most out of my ability.”
Lubenda is one of a team of brilliant Australian sprinters who are getting set to head to the US for the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, United States.
He will run the 100m relay and 4 x 100m relay in Eugene.
Making the team is not only a dream come true, but something he has worked so hard on.
“I’ve been thinking about making this team for the last few years,” he said.
“When I was about 15 years old, I had a discussion about what we were going to do to get there.
“To finally make it, it feels amazing.”
His teammate in the both events will be Zavier Peacock (NSW, Michael Psarakis and Jack Edwards).
Peacock, 18, only recently joined the sport of athletics after playing top level rugby league before injury forced him out of the sport.
Two years later, he finds himself on his first Australian team which is a remarkable effort.
“Coming from rugby league I didn’t think I would get very far, so two years into the sport it feels great to make the team,” Peacock said.
“Injuries aren’t the best thing no matter what sport you do, so it was good to come back from that and not just quit sport altogether.
“I’m happy I chose something else I was good at and I want to do really well with this.”
Peacock impressed at the Australian Athletics Junior Championships in April, coming second to Gout Gout (QLD, DI Sheppard) with a time of 10.35 in the U20 100m.
In the 200m, Dylan Hall (NSW, Jack Darcy), has been chosen to run in the 200m in place of Gout after his withdrawal.
Hall will be joined by Josiah John (WA, Andrew Iselin) in the 200m, who has stepped up for Peacock who was originally going to run the double.
In the women’s sprints, Zara Hagan (QLD, Christopher Dale) will compete in the double 100m and 200m as well as the 4x100m relay.
Hagan, 18. has had a brilliant few months, and is ready to have a busy program of races in Eugene.
“At first I was a bit nervous running so many races, but I think having done the back to back in Sydney at the Nationals and then five days after that doing the same thing in the Juniors, it gives a lot of confidence,” she said.
“So I’m really excited about it. “
In the 100m Hagan will be joined by Maya Taber (NSW, Pete Galanopoulos), while in the 200m Amaya Mearns (QLD, Andrew Iselin).
Add in Australia’s super strong relay teams in both the men’s and women’s 4x100m, it’s going to be an exciting time for our sprinters in Oregon.
By Luke Dennehy, Australian Athletics
Posted 21/7/2026
