Nearly 3000 of Australia’s best junior athletes have arrived in Brisbane to compete in the Australian Athletics Junior Championships.
The event will run from Wednesday, April 15th, to Monday, April 20th, at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre in Brisbane and feature many rising stars of the sport.
The list of athletes includes 18-year-old Gout Gout (QLD), who will race the 100m in the Under 20 category, with heats on Friday and the finals on Saturday.
Gout will be coming to Brisbane on the back of his 200m Under 20 world record at the Australian Athletics Championships on the weekend, leading the action as Australia’s best teenage talents gun for the 2026 World Athletics Under 20 Championships in Oregon later this year.
Another star athlete to compete will be one of the world’s top high jumpers in the Under 20 category, Izobelle Louison-Roe (NSW).
She will jump on Saturday in the Under 20 triple jump, and the Under 20 high jump on Monday.
“I’m super excited to be here in Brisbane this week,” Louison-Roe said.
“I’m really looking forward to competing on this track, I’ve always had good results before and can’t wait to jump again on the weekend.
“I didn’t jump last week at the Nationals, I wanted to focus on this competition so it’s going to be great to get out there again and see how I go.”
Louison-Roe joined 800m runner Daniel Williams (NSW), Para-athletics sprinter Lexie Brown (NSW), middle-distance runner Emma Fryga (QLD), and sprinter Zara Hagan (QLD) to launch the event at QSAC today.
Williams comes from a successful Australian Athletics Championships where he came fourth in the 800m, not before leading eventual champion Peter Bol near the end of the race.
“For me this week at Juniors, it’s getting that qualifying time again and the win, which will cement my spot at the U20 World Junior Championships,” Williams said.
“I hope to get a good race under my belt and continue my good form.”
The Australian Athletics Junior Championships are supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism Events Queensland and the Brisbane City Council through the Brisbane Economic Development Agency.
Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the 2026 Australian Athletics Junior Championships would showcase the city’s next generation of sporting talent while creating more to see and do across Brisbane.
“We’re thrilled to welcome thousands of young athletes, their families and supporters to Brisbane for this incredible event,” Cr Schrinner said.
“There’s something special about seeing the next generation of stars compete here in our city – especially as they look ahead to the Brisbane 2032 Games.
“Multi-day events like this support local businesses and jobs, bringing visitors, energy and economic benefits to our vibrant city.”
Queensland Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell added hosting the Australian Athletics Junior Championships reinforced Queensland’s reputation as the nation’s events capital and a powerhouse for developing future champions.
“This event is expected to deliver more than $6.3 million for the local economy and generate over 29,000 visitor nights, supporting Brisbane’s hotels, restaurants and tourism operators,” Minister Powell said.
“Just as importantly, it’s helping build the next generation of athletes as we continue on the green and gold runway to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
There are events and categories including para events ranging from U14 to U20 in the Championships.
The Australian Athletics Junior Championships will be broadcast on 7Plus: Wednesday 10.30am to 6.30pm, Thursday 11.30am to 7.30pm, Friday 12.00pm to 8pm, Saturday 10.45am to 6.45pm, Sunday 10.45am to 6.45pm and Monday 8.45am to 3pm.
Tickets are available and more information via the Australian Athletics website and Intix.
By Luke Dennehy, Australian Athletics
Posted 13/4/2026
