Track the progress of each NSW star at the U20 World Champs in Colombia: Event times and more

They have the potential to be our next generation of athletic superstars. Now the state’s most talented juniors are about to represent Australian at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Colombia. Find out when they hit the track.

2 min read

July 29, 2022 - 8:49AM

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The cream of Australia’s junior athletes have just arrived in Colombia fort next week’s 19th World Athletics U20 Championships. Set to commence in the city of Cali on August 1, the team of 60 includes 16 of NSW’s brightest young stars.

Having missed last year’s championships in Kenya due to Covid, the event marks the national team’s first appearance at the games since Finland in 2018.

We take a look at when each athlete is expected to hit the track, then show where to head for a glimpse of the action.

Time Zone

Clocks in Cali operate on Colombia Standard Time. That’s 15 hours behind AEST, meaning fans in NSW are in for some late nights and early starts just to keep up with events.

Weather forecast

Cali’s climate is warm, oppressive, and overcast. And with thunderstorms and temperatures of up to 32 degrees expected for the duration of the competition, our athletes can expect a tough week at the office.

Event schedule

Day 1 of competition kicks off with the women's javelin on Monday, 1 August at 9:05am local time. For residents of NSW, that’s an awkward 12:05am (AEST) on the Tuesday.

Peter Cantlon will be the first NSW rep on the track when he suits up for the men’s 1500m heats at 1:00 AEST. Of the state’s other stars, Mitchell Lightfoot, Hayley Kitching and Nicola Hogg will be the only others in action on the opening day.

Day 2 highlight will be the appearance of the Guthrie twins. Jasmin’s quest for 400m glory starts early Wednesday morning, before 400m hurdler, Isabella, sets out to better her sizzling qualifying times.

NSW athlete Mitchell Lightfoot. Pic by Julian Andrews.

All going to plan, Mitchell Lightfoot could be the one to look out for on Day 3. If the national champion can keep lowering his times, then his hometown of Maitland could be rocking before the start of the men’s 110m hurdle final.

Back-to-back national high-jump champion Erin Shaw marks her run-up on the fourth day, while medal hopeful Charlie Jeffreson gets his chance in the heats of the men’s 800m. It’s also a big day for Delta Amidzovski, when the 15-year old Wollongong whiz tackles the heats of the women’s 100m hurdles.

The final two days of competition include a host of finals, and all going well, for those Down Under, the bleary eyes will be well worth it.