Athletics Cap off Commonwealth Youth Games Campaign with Medal Haul

Jackson Love (NSW) and Toby Stolberg (Qld) have rounded out Australia’s athletics campaign at Trinbago 2023 with gold. 

Competing in the men’s T38 long jump for athletes with cerebral palsy, Love becomes the first green and gold charge to win a para-sport crown at the Commonwealth Youth Games and heads home with two personal bests and two medals. 

His 4.86m (w: +2.7) was enough to ensure the victory, edging out his compatriot and silver medallist Ori Drabkin (Vic, 4.55m). Drabkin’s best leap came in the final of six rounds, settling into competition after two fouls to begin proceedings. 

“I thought I was going to go behind five metres at one stage but just couldn’t get it done in the conditions. We’ve been training for the tail wind and just moving the run back a little, going with the flow,” Love said. 

“I’d love to be staying for more competition. It’s so good to be here alongside all athletes.” 

“It wasn’t easy out there, but we made adjustments as needed and got a legal jump in with the third attempt for my own sanity,” Drabkin added. 

“It’s a credit to Trinbago for welcoming para-athletes. Everyone here is cheering for able-bodied and para-athletics the same, which shows they’re enjoying it as much as we are.” 

Stolberg’s success came from the women’s high jump final, with the Australian all-schools champion clearing 1.78m on her second attempt to jump into the lead. She entered the competition at 1.70m, making light work of her opening height before a follow-up jump of 1.75m ahead of her winning height. 

“I wasn’t happy with the height, but completely shocked that I’ve won the gold medal. I wasn’t expecting it, so it’s strange to have mixed emotions,” Stolberg said. 

“I hope to qualify for world juniors now, I’m aiming for top-five but I need to make the team first.” 

She shared the dais with Thea Brown (1.78m) of England and her teammate Izobelle Louison-Roe (1.78m), with the trio split on countback. 

“It was a great atmosphere out there. I’ve had so much fun. I’m not sure that I want to go home, I’m loving this heat and all that the Games have given me,” Louison-Roe said. 

Competing in the women’s 800m final after automatically progressing through the heats, Fleur Cooper (NSW) won bronze in a time of 2:05.86. 

Cooper was among a congested pack at the 500m mark when Ugandan athlete Brenda Chekwemoi stumbled, providing a gap that allowed the 15-year-old to charge to the line to claim third behind Pheobe Gill (gold, 2:02.30) of England and Asha Barla (silver, 2:04.99) of India. 

“I got boxed in a couple of times but in the end, I had enough energy to sprint,” Cooper said. 

“I was pretty scared when the Ugandan girl fell over and I didn’t want that to happen to me. I had to get in a good spot, and I did.” 

“I’ve got my mother and brother here with me, and it’s so good to share this with them. My friends at home are up watching, so hopefully there as happy as me.” 

The mixed 4x400m relay team rounded out the medals, crossing for bronze in 3:26.33 behind Guyana (gold, 3:22.07) and England (silver, 3:22.29) respectively. 

Grace Krause (NSW) also took to the track for the women’s 200m final, placing seventh (24.46) to add to the bronze medal she won in the women’s long jump behind Delta Amidzovski (NSW). 

In the men’s and women’s 3000m finals, Ky Hehir (WA, 8:25.81) and Grace Vincent (Vic, 10:02.60) placed fourth and sixth respectively, as Kenya won double gold in the longest event on the program. 

Full Australian results from finals at the Commonwealth Youth Games can be found HERE. 

By Commonwealth Games Australia
Posted: 11/8/2023