After six days of junior athletics action in Brisbane, it was only fitting that high jumper Izobelle Louison-Roe would apply the finishing touches to a golden championships, as a host of emerging talents announced their arrival on the nation’s biggest stage.
Securing her second gold medal of the championships, Louison-Roe (NSW) soared over 1.93m in the Under 20 Women’s High Jump to add to her decorated junior career, which will culminate in the 2026 World Athletics Under 20 Championships in Oregon this August.
Already a silver medallist at the 2024 instalment of the World Under 20’s, the 18-year-old is gunning to go one better, having multiple attempts already this year at Eleanor Patterson’s once untouchable 1.96m Australian Under 20 record – including today in Brisbane.
“I was disappointed that I couldn’t get the 1.96m, but I know it’s there,” Louison-Roe said.
“It’s just a matter of time. To be jumping in the 1.90’s regularly is amazing. It doesn’t feel so scary anymore, more like it’s normal. So I’m very pleased.”
“There have been lots of back-to-back competitions the past few months so I’m going to have some reset time after Nationals, get some good training in and then look to the rest of the year which I’m so excited about.”
Zara Hagan (QLD) made it a Under 20 sprint double when fending off Amaya Mearns (QLD) in the final metres of the 200m showdown, clocking 23.34 (-1.3) as Zavier Peacock (NSW) upgraded his 100m silver to win the men’s title in 20.97 (-0.2).
It was a tale of two races in the Under 20 contests over 1500m, as Milla Roberts (QLD) ran away with the women’s crown in a bold move with 700m remaining to steal a margin on the field and win in 4:14.80, while 17-year-old Kieran Shepherd (ACT) upset his more senior rivals in the men’s race – which included a fall in the final 200m.
Alexander Cameron-Smith (VIC) was going toe-to-toe with Charles Barrett (VIC) in the final lap, with Barrett’s campaign coming to an abrupt end when he hit the track, leaving Shepherd to pounce in the home straight and win in 3:52.24.
A rising crop of hurdlers put on a show in the Under 20 Women’s 400m Hurdles, with Maiya Hewitt (NSW) executing a flawless race to win in 58.27-seconds, leading home a trio of qualifiers for the 2026 World Athletics Under 20 Championships.
The entire podium set personal bests as Shakira Harding (VIC) clinched silver in 58.54-seconds, while Mia Shelley (WA) took bronze in 58.79-seconds.
In the Under 20 Men’s 400m Hurdles, Ethan Williams (NSW) clocked 52.21-seconds as the first four athletes delivered World Under 20 qualifiers, Williams the first to book his ticket to Oregon in the event.
Lauren Kelly (WA) bounced back from the discus throw to be crowned the Under 20 Women’s Shot Put champion with a personal best of 15.01m in the final round, eclipsing the 15-metre barrier for the first time in her career, as international competitor Karmen Elizabeth-Maritz (NZL) took the outright win with 15.04m.
14-year-old Charlotte Ehioghae (WA) served up yet another eye-catching performance in the Under 16 Girls 100m, flashing down the home straight in a time of 11.60 (-1.5) to be denied by only a stubborn headwind when backing up yesterday’s 23.07-second showing over 200m.
Sprint hurdle titles fell the way of Jamison Harding (VIC) and Oliver Facer (NSW) in messy races as athletes laid it all on the line, Harding overcoming early leader Tammin Lampret (NSW) to win in 13.77 (-1.0), and Facer keeping his cool to defeat Harrison Purcell (QLD) in 13.82 (-1.7).
Rounding out the action in one of the final events of the championships, Xavier Leauma (TAS) let loose on a 72.37m bomb to win the Under 20 Men’s Hammer Throw title, adding over two metres to his personal best and punching his ticket to the 2026 World Athletics Under 20 Championships.
The 2026 Australian Athletics Junior (Under Age) Championships were held at Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre from April 15-20.
Full results are available HERE.
By Lachlan Moorhouse, Australian Athletics
Posted 20/4/2026
