HURDLES SENSATION AMIDZOVSKI AMONG WINNERS AS GOLD DELIVERED AT COMMONWEALTH YOUTH GAMES

Delta Amidzovski (NSW) has added the women’s 100m hurdles crown to her impressive list of 2023 achievements at the Commonwealth Youth Games. 

The national under 18 record holder after lowering the long-standing mark of Sally Pearson to 13.02 at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships, Amidzovski today kept her cool despite challenges with the start equipment to blitz the field in a time of 13.25 (w: +0.7). 

“The start was a bit tricky, we were asked to stand up a few times, and after I got out of the blocks I had to take my time to find my stride,” Amidzovski said. 

“It’s my second gold medal of the Games and am just so happy with my results. It’s a fast track and I’ve loved it.” 

Amidzovski now looks forward to pushing herself further in 2024, with a second appearance at the World Athletics Junior Championships her aim for the upcoming domestic season. 

“I was having a bit of a chat to myself this morning, I was a bit sore after the long jump, and reminded myself it’s mind over matter, mind over body and then focused on this race,” Amidzovski said. 

“I’ve got world juniors in my sights next year, I loved my time on that team last year and want to get back. I more than anything just want to stay fit and healthy, and keep enjoying the sport. That’s what matters to me right now.” 

The silver and bronze medal were won by Thea Brown (13.53) of England and Tumi Rapogkawa (13.53) of South Africa, with Jasynta Lampret (NSW) crossing sixth (14.05). 

Australia also won silver and bronze in the women’s T38 long jump for athletes with cerebral palsy, as Niamh MacAlasdair (WA, 4.09m) and Reese Prior (WA, 3.73m) were beaten for gold by Maddie Down (4.70m) of England. 

“It’s crazy that we’ve come all the way from Perth together and jumped to win silver and bronze,” MacAlasdair said. 

“These are among the first para-events at the Youth Games and I hope this highlights anyone can get involved in sport, particularly when they’re support by one of their best friends.” 

“I’m beyond excited that I’ve won a bronze. Niamh and I push each other, and this whole experience together has been amazing,” Prior added. 

In the men’s 400m hurdles final, Matthew Hunt (NSW) run under protest after falsely being accused of a false start. He finished just outside the medals in a time of 52.37. 

Each of Fleur Cooper (NSW) and Grace Krause (NSW) also progressed to the final of their events on the final day of athletics competition tomorrow. 

Cooper clocked 2:07.28 to cross second in the women’s 800m after leading from the outset before being edged out in the final stages by Pheobe Gill of (2:05.83) of England. Krause advances based on her time, running 23.91 (w: +0.8) to place fourth in her semi-final. 

Earlier on Day Two of competition at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Chelsy Wayne (NSW) added silver to an already eight-strong athletics medal haul in the women’s discus throw. 

Wayne shared the lead across the six-throw competition, improving on a 48.79m best effort in the last round to sit in the gold medal position. 

Her new mark of 49.39m was then bettered on the very last throw, as Alicia Khunou (49.59m) of South Africa became Commonwealth Youth Games champion. 

“It was intense out there, so close. I just wanted to throw more and more, but it’s the best that I could do,” Wayne said. 

“I’m so happy and excited, I can’t wait to share the news with my friend. It’s a wild experience and I’m loving meeting new people. 

“This is all about experience. I need to now focus on pulling out bigger throws in my earlier attempts, it’s something that I know I need to do.” 

Narrowly missing a medal was Daniel Williams (NSW), with the 17-year-old stopping the clock at 3:45.91 to place fourth in the men’s 1500m final. 

A challenger throughout before the pace quickened in the closing lap, Williams was edged out for a spot on the podium by Kenyans Jospat Kipkirui (gold, 3:37.66) and Andrew Amalisi (silver, 3:38.12) and Ugandan Jacob Sande (bronze, 3:39.69). 

By Commonwealth Games Australia
Posted: 10/8/2023