Sam Hurwood Awarded 2022 Gary Knoke Scholarship

Rising hurdler Sam Hurwood has capped off a breakthrough year with the 2022 Gary Knoke Memorial Scholarship, joining a long list of famous names in Australian athletics to have been recognised with the prestigious award.

Established in 1986 after Knoke lost his battle with cancer in 1984, the annual scholarship was set up by his family in honour of the three-time Olympian and four-time Commonwealth Games representative, who proceeded to become the first track and field coach at the Australian Institute of Sport.

Traditionally awarded to an athlete demonstrating potential in sprint or hurdling events to reflect Knoke’s hurdling prowess, 21-year-old Hurwood fits the mould after rocketing to seventh on the Australian all-time list in the 110m hurdles with a 13.63 personal best in 2022.  Additionally, Hurwood claimed bronze at the 2022 Oceania Championships and fourth place at the most recent edition of the Australian Track and Field Championships highlighting his consistency.

“It means a lot! The support in funding is great but the recognition is pretty awesome as well. Sprint hurdling is probably the most competitive it has ever been in Australian history, so I’m stoked to be recognised in this way,” Hurwood said.

“I would like to send a huge thank you to the Knoke family. It’s extremely generous what they do year on year, it’s honestly phenomenal. I’d also like to thank Athletics Australia as well, considering all the talent we have going around – it’s a huge deal for me.”

Coached by Rajeev Balakrishnan, Hurwood burst onto the international scene when participating in Athletics Australia’s Under 23 Development Tour of Europe this year, and finished his first trip abroad with a series of strong runs that leave him on the doorstep of his first senior international team – a campaign aided by his newfound funding.

“It definitely feels like the momentum is building, it makes me more excited to keep pushing and see what there is to come in the future. As I get older there will be a lot of other things I have to consider, but this scholarship allows me to keep my mind focussed on running fast for now,” Hurwood said.

“I will be putting it in the bank until I head to Europe again next year, it will help me significantly. There are plenty of costs along the way even in the domestic season, it all adds up.”

Confident that his second European campaign will only improve on his first, Hurwood plans to launch his bid for a lane at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

“I’m so keen to head back there and rip in. It’s a boiling pot, it puts you under pressure and you are there for one reason only which is to run fast – I love that environment. I thrived the first time so I am keen to see what else I can do,” Hurwood said.

“It’s going to be tough, but a rising tide lifts all boats. Having fast boys around me is going to make me run faster, and everyone has a good chance so I just have to give it my best and may the best man win.”

Chair of Athletics Australia’s Special Awards Committee Jane Flemming OAM commended Hurwood on the achievement, noting his impressive trajectory displayed this year.

"We are thrilled to award the Gary Knoke Scholarship to Sam Hurwood. We received a huge response when opening applications with more than 80 applications, but Sam’s record of success over the past 12 months alone makes him a worthy recipient of the Gary Knoke scholarship,” Flemming said.

“Over the past year, Sam has leapt from being a national level hurdler to an athlete that shows promise for breaking through to represent Australia. We’ve been incredibly proud to watch his progression and believe this scholarship will assist him in reaching his potential."

Athletics Australia has previously awarded the Gary Knoke scholarship to Australian record holders Kyle Vander Kuyp, Melissa Breen and Scott Reardon, as well as Tokyo Olympian Liz Clay and back-to-back world champion Kelsey Lee Barber.

By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 26/10/2022