The inaugural Australian Short Track Athletics Championships will welcome some of the nation’s best athletes to Sydney this Saturday, headlined by 60m world-leader Lachlan Kennedy, Olympic finalist Connor Murphy and World Under 20 champion Delta Amidzovski.
Olympian Lachlan Kennedy (QLD, Andrew Iselin) was one of the hottest names in athletics last week when launching to the equal 10th fastest 60m time in history with his 6.43 (+1.6) Australian record, triggering an equally rapid reaction from the athletics world as the traditionally indoor event headed outdoors in Canberra.
A rematch awaits in Sydney as Kennedy prepares to double down against his national rivals Joshua Azzopardi (NSW, Rob Marks) and Jacob Despard (TAS, Rolf Ohman) who also posted World Indoor Championships qualifiers of 6.52 and 6.55 respectively last week, along with New Zealand’s Tiaan Whelpton.
The Women’s 60m remains wide open, with Taylah Cruttenden (WA, Russell Mathanda) and Ella Connolly (NSW, Andrew Murphy) spearheading the field as the second and third fastest Australian women in history at 7.24-seconds and 7.26-seconds respectively.
The 21-year-old Cruttenden drew first blood in the event at the ACT Under 20 & Open State Championships to beat home Connolly and solidify her form, while the addition of two of the fastest starters in the land Ebony Lane (QLD, Chris Dale) and 16-year-old Thewbelle Philp (QLD, Leanne Hines-Smith) adds further heat to the national title bout.
Rising star Delta Amidzovski (NSW, Roger Fabri & Becky Amidzovski) stamped her arrival on the world stage with two medals at the 2024 World Under 20 Championships, landing Long Jump gold and 100m Hurdles bronze – as the Delta Double returns this weekend to kick-start her 2025 campaign.
The 18-year-old who leapt to a career-best 6.58m despite challenging conditions in Lima, Peru to secure the world title will also contest the 60m Hurdles against the likes of Danielle Shaw (VIC, Peter Benifer) and Emelia Surch (QLD, Glynis Nunn), having shattered Sally Pearson’s Under 18 Australian record in the 100m Hurdles in 2023.
While Shaw holds the ascendency on paper based on 100m Hurdles times with 12.98 to Amidzovski’s 13.22, expect the fast-starting teenager to have the field under pressure early, with Hannah Jones (QLD, Sally Pearson) also making her return to racing.
A triple jumper with an Olympic final to his name, Connor Murphy (NSW, Andrew Murphy) opened his season in strong form at the ACT Under 20 & Open State Championships, leaping to 16.57m (+0.9) for the win. Looking to capitalise on the bonus points on offer to bolster his 2025 World Championships qualifying bid, the 23-year-old will lead the way for teenagers Alex Epitropakis (QLD, Stacey Taurima) and Lian Anagnostopolous (NSW, Leo Dulay).
Olympian Liam Adcock (QLD, Stefania Massignam) and World Under 20 bronze medallist Mason McGroder (NSW, Matt Wade) will lock horns in the Long Jump, despite a 12-year age gap. Putting friendship aside momentarily with Adcock a mentor of McGroder’s, the showdown will see the pair push the eight-metre barrier in the sandpit with personal bests of 8.06m and 7.80m respectively.
High jumper Emily Whelan (NSW, Matthew Horsnell) has risen to new heights already in 2025 with clearances of 1.90m and 1.91m in consecutive weeks, now set for another clash with World Under 20 silver medallist Izobelle Louison-Roe (NSW, Karen Roe) after taking her down in Canberra last week.
Adding to the action in the field, World Under 20 bronze medallist in the pole vault Tryphena Hewett (SA, Kym Simons) returns to the national stage with a 4.20m personal best, setting up an enticing battle with Georgia Tayler (VIC, Mark Stewart) who is enjoying a breakthrough season with a 4.20m best.
This competition will be held in conjunction with a local Sydney competition, with the first event of the inaugural Australian Short Track Athletics Championships to begin at 3:30pm AEDT. Live streaming is not available for this event, with spectators able to watch in stadium at Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre.
Entries and live results are available HERE.
By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted 30/1/2025