Australia’s best walkers will tonight go for Gold at the World Athletics Race Walking Championships in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil.
Isaac Beacroft, 18, will attempt to defend his title in the Under 20 Men’s 10km race walk. He will race on Sunday night Australian time alongside John Ronan and Owen Toyne.
“I’m feeling really excited to be back the World Team Championships, which is commonly referred to as the World Cup for race walking so obviously there is plenty of excitement and a lot on the line,” he said.
“I’m keen to come back and attempt to defend my title in the Under 20s 10km, against some pretty tough competition.
“I’m even more excited about the team component, I think Owen and John coming with me we could give the team Gold a really good crack.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Beacroft will race tonight at 8.15pm AEST time, along with the marathon walk events for men and women, U20 10km race walk for women, and the half marathon race walk for men and women.
It won’t be only the men’s U20 team who have a serious chance in Brazil at the event.
In the women’s half marathon walk Rebecca Henderson will be joined by Elizabeth McMillen, Allanah Pitcher and Olivia Sandery and have a real chance at a medal.
Henderson, 24, is national champion in the event, winning the inaugural Half Marathon walking championships in Adelaide in March.
Declan Tingay, who also won in Adelaide, will be walking in another top-level world event in Brazil.
It’s also the first time the Half Marathon walking event has been part of a global championship.
Tingay will be joined by Olympic bronze medallist Rhydian Cowley in the event.
Australia has a proud history in race walking, and with this super strong team that story of success is set to continue in Brazil.
The walkers, including Beacroft, will then turn their focus to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July.
Australian Team for the 2026 World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships
Under 20 Women’s 10km Race Walk – Sophie Polkinghorne (NSW, David Beacroft), Matilda Webb (NSW, Luke Jobson), Zoe Woods (NSW, David Beacroft)
Women’s Half Marathon Race Walk – Rebecca Henderson (VIC, Simon Baker), Elizabeth McMillen (NSW, Jared Tallent), Allanah Pitcher (NSW, Frank Overton), Olivia Sandery (SA, Jared Tallent)
Under 20 Men’s 10km Race Walk – Isaac Beacroft (NSW, David Beacroft), John Ronan (WA, Mike Reid), Owen Toyne (ACT, David Beacroft)
Men’s Half Marathon Race Walk – Rhydian Cowley (VIC, Brent Vallance), Timothy Fraser (ACT, Jared Tallent), Will Thompson (VIC, Brent Vallance), Declan Tingay (WA, Brent Vallance), Kyle Swan (VIC, Jared Tallent)
Men’s Marathon Race Walk – Mitchell Baker (ACT, Jared Tallent), Carl Gibbons (NSW, Jared Tallent)
By Luke Dennehy, Australian Athletics
Posted 12/4/2026
