Sprinter Liam Coles is an athletics national champion

EIGHT months after deciding to give competitive athletics a try, Liam Coles is the fastest 13-year-old in Australia, over both 100m and 200m. Oh, and he is the fastest hurdler. Also, did we mention triple jump?

Liam Coles on his way to victory in the under-14 boys 200m final at the Australian Track and Field Championships at Sydney Olympic Park. Picture: Matt King

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EIGHT months after deciding to give competitive athletics a try, Liam Coles is the fastest 13-year-old in Australia.

His potential has left his experienced coach Kerry Smith “almost speechless”, after he tore through last week’s Australian Track and Field Championships.

Coles won the 90m hurdles, the triple jump, 100m and 200m, in addition to picking up a silver medal in the 4x100m relay.

Incredibly his hurdles win was just his second ever 90m hurdles event, while his coach said his triple jump win with a jump of 11.76m was “ridiculous”.

Liam Coles celebrates winning the under-14 boys 200m final. Picture: Matt King

Coles stopped the clock in 11.96 sec in the 100m final and won the 200m final in a time of 24.49 sec.

The Wadalba Community School Year 8 student was thrilled with his results.

“It means a lot; it was my first nationals and I was really excited going into it,” Coles said.

Coles’ results haven’t happened by chance with the young sprinter paying close attention to Smith’s directions on improving his technique. In addition to regular training sessions with her, he also does further training at home each day.

Coles’ focus now switches to the Australian Little Athletics Championships in Tasmania in a fortnight.

He is then keen to contest the Australian school titles in Perth in December.

Smith is excited about what the future holds for the youngster.

“He’s just a blank canvas with so much potential,” she said.

Coles isn’t just an athlete, he also plays soccer for Kanwal, with his team taking out their grand final last year.