Teen Raphaila Idris inspired by Tokyo Olympic prospect Bendere Obaya to fly high

This young speedster has her sights firmly set on representing Australia at an Olympic Games in the not to distant future. And she has the results to back up her dream.

Athlete Raphaila Idris training for this month’s Australian All Schools championships.

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When Raphaila Idris started to improve at athletics she decided to put her heart and soul into it.

Now she’s a record breaker with her sights set on representing Australia at the 2024 Olympics in France.

And the 13-year old from Ropes Crossing doesn’t have to look far for inspiration with former Pendle Hill schoolgirl Bendere Obaya setting the athletics world alight in recent times.

The young triple jumper from Caroline Chisholm College at Glenmore Park said Obaya’s success motivates her to put her heart and soul into the sport.

Athlete Raphaila Idris is hoping to fly high for Australia one day. Pic: Angelo Velardo

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And Obaya's recent debut at the world athletics championships where she made the semi-finals of the 400m championships, shows Raphaila what can be achieved if she continues to work hard and improve.

“It was a big inspiration for me to see her there. I was so proud for her,” said Raphaila of Obaya, who also hails from western Sydney.

“It has show me where I can go.

“I think if I train hard I can make it.”

Raphaila, who contests sprinting, long jump and triple jump events, is training three times a week and competing on Saturdays.

Her work ethic has been paying off with the young gun producing a string of success in recent times.

“I was at the NSWCCC’s and broke the triple jump record for the 13s,” she said,

“That and the NSW All School record is my best this year.”

Raphaila Idris works hard for success.

Raphaila Idris in training.

Raphaila took seven centimetres off the old NSW All Schools record with her mighty jump of 11.54m.

“I’ve been doing it ever since I was four years old,” she said.

“I decided to take it seriously because I started getting better at it without training and then when I started training I saw big improvement.”

Next for Raphael is the Australia all schools championships in Perth from later this week.

The teenager will compete in the under 14s triple jump at the meet.

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