Aidan Murphy runs fastest 200m by an Australian man in 2021 to break longstanding record

An SA teenager has broken a longstanding 200m record, running the fastest time by an Australian man in 2021 – including the Olympics.

An SA teenager has broken a 35-year state 200m sprint record and notching up national honours with the fastest time set in that distance by an Australian man in 2021.

Saints Athletic Club’s 18-year-old marvel and son of champion Australian sprinter Tania Van Heer achieved a time of just 20.64 seconds at the recent Copyworld Toshiba State Interclub competition.

The time was faster than Steve McBain’s under-20 men’s state record of 21.21 set in Athens in 1986, and faster than Connor Diffey’s 20.73 and Olympian Rohan Browning’s 20.77 – both recorded this year.

The young speedster out of St Peter’s College was thrilled with his achievement but said he had been close to pulling out of the event.

Aidan Murphy racing in late 2020. The 18-year-old is one of Australia's most promising sprinters. Picture: Supplied

“It felt amazing to be able to break such a longstanding record,” Murphy said.

“Ironically enough I actually woke up sick and even considered not racing that afternoon but my coach Peter Fitzpatrick was confident in me and the training I had endured and helped me push through it.”

Setting records isn’t new for Murphy.

He set record milestones multiple times as a junior and was just 15 when he broke a St Peter’s 100m sprint record which had stood for 72 years.

He also now holds three state 200m records in under-16, under-18 and under-20 age groups.

Supplied by Athletics SA

Murphy believed the confidence he had gradually gained from race wins along with guidance from coach Peter ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald had him performing at career best.

“It feels like the work I’ve done with Fitzy has really paid off, we’ve been working so hard to get to this,” he said.

“Being able to feel confident in myself has been my biggest achievement so far this year. I’ve always found it difficult not to constantly criticise myself so this year has been a turning point in my life.”

Murphy, right, alongside coach Peter Fitzgerald after running his record-breaking 200m. Picture: Supplied

With the Commonwealth Games in July fast approaching, the emerging star hopes he can build off of his recent successes in time for an Australian team push.

“With the start I’ve had this year, I’m looking at either competing at World Juniors or the Commonwealth Games but it will be either/or since they start around the same time,” Murphy said.

“I don’t really like looking too far ahead and being present is what keeps me grounded but I feel as if I’m only getting started and cannot wait for what this season holds.”

The next major events on the athletics calendar are the Christmas Twilight meet, State Multi Event Championship, and round 6 of the State Interclub.