Delta Double | Amidzovski Eyes World Under 20 Championships Berth

As a rising Australian hurdler, there is no greater statement of authenticity than shattering a national record held by Sally Pearson. Delta Amidzovski ticked that box last year and has her sights set on the 2024 World Under 20 Championships this August, hoping to punch her ticket to Peru at the Chemist Warehouse Australian Athletics Championships.

For a 17-year-old on superstar trajectory, Amidzovski is measured when it comes to her athletic aspirations. Already a two-time Australian representative when claiming double gold at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games after making her debut at the 2022 World Under 20 Championships as a 15-year-old, the versatile talent plans to amass more international experience in 2024.

“World Under 20’s is an achievable goal for me this year which is something I am big on, setting my sights on things that I know can be achieved or are attainable, rather than going for the big smoke,” Amidzovski says.

“I take things one year at a time and that’s the focus this year. It’s important to take the steppingstones when you are a junior to get that experience.”

Clocking a whirlwind 13.02 in the Under 18 100m Hurdles (76.2cm) at the 2023 Australian Athletics Championships to eclipse Sally Pearson’s 13.14 Australian Under 18 record, Amidzovski put the nation on notice as her meteoric rise gained immediate traction.

“Getting to meet Sally Pearson afterwards was great, she put a lot of things into perspective for me. We spoke about running my own race and not going out there to break records, because the medals are what stays and no one can take them away from you,” Amidzovski says.

“It was all about doing what works for you and not worrying about what other people are doing.”

Running a messy race at the 2022 World Under 20 Championships to perform below her best, Amidzovski turned it around in 2023 when nailing a golden double in the 100m Hurdles and Long Jump at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games.

“The big difference was my confidence. Leading into the World Juniors, it was obviously my first time on the big stage and I was just finding my feet and what works for me. Things didn’t go well on the day but I had to put that behind me and put the things I had learned into practice,” Amidzovski says.

Already clocking a 13.38-second personal best over the Open height in the 100m Hurdles and serving up a 6.34m personal best in the Long Jump, the teenager has been mixing it with Australia’s best athletes throughout the Chemist Warehouse Summer Season – culminating in next week’s Australian Athletics Championships in Adelaide.

“In the Track Classics, I have noticed that I can start out pretty strong and the middle is good, but towards the back end I need to hold that power which is where I drop off. I have been working on that in training,” Amidzovski says.

“I train for long jump maybe once a fortnight, if that. It’s a very out of the blue event, I don’t know how I am jumping the distances I am, but obviously coming into Nationals I will pick it up again.”

Coached by her mum Becky Amidzovski and Roger Fabri, the rising star is keeping things balanced as she builds towards her ultimate dream of becoming an Olympian, conveniently turning 26-years-old in the year of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

“A lot of people ask me about my Mum and expect me to say that we fight, but we don’t. It’s very coach and athlete on the track and mum and daughter at home. We have our off days but we have good boundaries,” Amidzovski says.

Amidzovski will contest the Under 20 Women’s 100m Hurdles and Under 20 Women’s Long Jump at the 2024 Chemist Warehouse Australian Athletics Championships, taking place at SA Athletics Stadium from April 11-19.

The entry list and timetable can be found HERE, while tickets can be found HERE.

By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 7/4/2024