Fresh off running the fastest time ever by an Australian woman, Torrie Lewis is resisting the temptation to chase the clock. After all, the clock can’t be beaten, but the Commonwealth can.
In 11.04-seconds at the TIPOS P-T-S Meeting in Banska Bystrica last night, Lewis crept ever closer to becoming the first Australian woman in history to shatter 11-seconds in the 100m, winning in 11.04 (+1.8) over five-time Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah in 11.06.
It is the latter which carries the most significance as Lewis doubled back to win the 200m in 22.66 (+1.5), with the golden night offering an insight into her mindset. In an event defined by milliseconds, the 21-year-old is not worried about the clock.
“I just saw it was a strong field with Elaine Thompson and just wanted to try and win it. I wasn’t thinking of the record at all, but I was thrilled that I ran well and broke it again,” Lewis said.
“I’ve watched her for so many years winning at the Olympics and of course I know she’s not in her best shape but it’s pretty cool to beat someone of that calibre.”
The Jamaican legend may not be in her “best shape” but still owns a seasons best of 10.91 (+0.9) set in late June, with Lewis taking the biggest scalp of her budding career graciously:
“I was very happy to have a hug with her at the end!”
Only the nation’s heptathletes are marked to have a busier schedule than Lewis in Glasgow, who will have her work cut out for her. The Queenslander is slated to race the 100m, 200m and 4x100m, putting any doubt of a troublesome Achilles to rest last night.
“I missed a competition I was supposed to do in Switzerland because of my Achilles, so my coach added this one maybe a week or two ago to make up for it and help me race into form for the Commonwealth Games,” Lewis said.
“That’s part of the reason I wanted to do the 100m and 200m double yesterday, to see how my body pulls up the next day and to get a feeling of how it would be to race back-to-back multiple days in a row.
“It feels great and I feel like I could race again today. So that gives me confidence heading into Glasgow, knowing how busy and tough my schedule is going to be.”
When it comes to Glasgow, Lewis is more optimistic about her chances than the weather.
Naturally, questions of the sub-11 second barrier must be asked, but the reigning World Under 20 champion over 200m is focussed solely on building her major championship resume in what is set to be a strong field featuring contenders from England, Jamaica and New Zealand.
“It’s absolutely about racing. I doubt Glasgow will have great conditions so for sure it will be about who can compete the best and who wants it the most,” Lewis said.
Now based in the Netherlands under the guidance of Laurent Meuwly, one of Australian Athletics’ rising stars is improving with every race, and with a handful still to come in Glasgow – her best is yet to come.
By Lachlan Moorhouse, Australian Athletics
Posted 22/7/2026
