A regime of chocolate milk, spear fishing and grass ovals is far from traditional 800m training, but that’s what makes Daniel Williams one of the most curious cases in a new era of Australian athletics stars.
At 18-years-old, Williams’ personal best of 1:44.37 set at the Adelaide Invitational is world-class.
The Coffs Harbour product will look to cement his status as one of the, if not the, best teenagers on the planet at the 2026 World Athletics Under 20 Championships – a win in the Under 20 Men’s 800m at the Australian Athletics Junior (Under Age) Championships today his ticket to Oregon.
“Like any athlete, I want to be peaking for the Nationals, but this year I want to work towards that being at the World Under 20’s as well,” Williams says.
“All my competitions have been leading towards that because I have big goals. I’m currently ranked number two behind Cooper Lutkenhaus.
“He’s a great athlete with outstanding results, but he’s human like everyone else.”
Lutkenhaus roared to the World Indoor crown last month as has enjoyed a record-breaking career to date, but Williams is on the road less travelled to the global stage, embracing the Australian way.
“When I tell people where I live and that the closest track is on the Gold Coast, which is three hours away, they are a bit surprised,” Williams says.
“But that’s what makes me successful. I’m training on grass all the time and the lifestyle I have outside of running, there’s just so much for me there.
“When sport isn’t going great, mentally for me it’s a great way to cope by going for a fish or a surf. It’s a bit different but it’s working.”
Williams shares a close bond with race walker Isaac Beacroft who has already scaled the junior athletics mountain to win a world title and set a world record; the duo renowned as two of the nation’s most chaotic junior prospects on tour
“There’s a lot of nerves associated with competing, but it’s good to have balance,” Williams said.
“Whenever one of us does something that we are proud of, it means a lot because we know how much we put into this sport and we talk a lot about what we want to achieve.”
Today’s Under 20 Men’s 800m Final will see Williams close his Australian season in style, following in the footsteps of national record holder Peter Bol and a host of rising stars as the event reaches new heights.
“You have to run 1:43 to win Nationals now because the pedigree is better than we have ever seen,” Williams says.
“I like the competition because as soon as one person takes that step, like Pete [Bol] running 1:42 last year, everyone starts to realise what is possible and it’s really inspirational.”
By Lachlan Moorhouse, Australian Athletics
Posted 18/4/2026
