Young athletics star Sasha Zhoya aims for more SA gifts

HIGHLY promising West Australian teenager Sasha Zhoya will be aiming to make a second successful raid on prized events in Adelaide this month when he chases glory in the Bay Sheffield.

Western Australian athlete Sasha Zhoya competes in the boys under 16 110 metre hurdles during the Australia All Schools Championships in Adelaide. Picture: Tony Feder/Getty Images

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HIGHLY promising West Australian teenager Sasha Zhoya will be aiming to make a second successful raid on prized events in Adelaide this month when he chases glory in the rich Bay Sheffield at Colley Reserve on Thursday.

Just 15, Zhoya has emerged as a strong candidate for the 120m sprint on the back of impressive times this summer.

Teen talent Sasha Zhoya will run in the Bay Sheffield on Thursday. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

Zhoya clocked a stunning national under-18 record 13.24 secs to claim the All Schools 110m hurdles crown in Mile End on December 9. Just two hours later he cleared 4.60m to win the pole vault, his priority event.

Last month, the youngster came from 7m for an emphatic win in the Hamersley Gift. Among the prizes for the winner was a trip to Adelaide for the Bay Sheffield.

Zhoya will come from 5m and has been drawn in the second of 12 heats.

The backmarker for the Gift is Josh Ross off scratch, the same mark he had when triumphant in 2012.

The early favourite to earn the $13,500 winner’s cheque is former BMX rider and Wynn Vale sprinter Harrison Hunt, trained by Dylan Hicks.

Hunt won the 120m novice at his debut at Marion in January and has claimed two 70m races and the Brighton Gift this season.

There are nine heats of the women’s 120m Gift with Christine Wearne the backmarker off 2.75m.

The Bay Sheffield carnival will create history this year when it is held over three days, starting today with heats of aged events.

The prime events tomorrow will be the 70m and 800m Opens. More than 900 nominations have been received for the meet, an all-time high.