The state’s teenage athletic stars bound for the World Champs in Colombia

They are the teenage whiz-kids besotted with track and field. Now the state’s most talented juniors are in Colombia for the World Athletics U20 Championships. Meet our future superstars.

As Australia’s world championship athletes headlined in Oregon, a crop of NSW‘s best juniors were busy rounding out preparations for the 19th World Athletics U20 Championships.

Set to kick-off in Cali, Colombia on August 1, Australia’s squad of 60 for the six-day competition includes 16 of the state’s brightest young stars.

After last year’s no-show in Kenya due to Covid, the squad‘s arrival in the South American city marks the national team’s first appearance at the junior games since 2018. Of that squad, NSW reps Joshua Azzopardi (sprinter) and Cameron McEntyre (javelin) have continued to blossom, with both now in Birmingham for the Commonwealth Games.

Women's U20 High Jump final. NSW athlete Erin Shaw from Frenchs Forest winning gold. Picture: Julian Andrews

Of the current crop, high jumper Erin Shaw and 400m hurdler Isabella Guthrie head a contingent of 10 girls nearing the pinnacle of their transition to open age competition.

For David Tarbotton, the Head of Content at Athletics NSW, the two national champions are ones to watch.

“Erin overcame a broken wrist and a sprained ankle just weeks before the Australian Championships, and was still able to defend her National U20 high jump title to secure automatic selection,” he said.

Women's U20 400m Hurdles Final NSW athlete Isabella Guthrie from Mount Kuring-Gai takes gold. Picture: Julian Andrews

“While Isabella broke the qualifying standard every time she competed and is now the eighth fastest U20 400m hurdler in Australian history. She’ll also team with twin Jasmin in the 4 x 400m relay”.

Of the six boys preparing to join an estimated 1500 athletes from across the globe, Tarbotton singled out Charlie Jeffreson from the King’s School as one to potentially bag a medal.

“Charlie has only been in athletics for three years, but now he’s the second fastest Australian U18 800m runner of all time. He defended his national junior title in March, and in Cali he’s a legitimate medal hopeful,” he said.

Men's U20 800m Final NSW athlete Charlie Jeffreson from Hunters Hill takes gold as a desperate lunge for the line sees NSW athlete Hayden Todd fall as he takes bronze. Picture: Julian Andrews

Of the other team members, time is no issue for 100m hurdler Delta Amidzovski in her quest to become the next Sally Pearson.

At just 15, the Wollongong based speedster is the youngest on the team and is among three others representing chosen from a regional based club.

Connor Bond is set to excite rugby fans. A member of the 4x100m team, the UTS Norths flyer is the son of 5-time Wallaby Grahame Bond and the nephew of 121 Test veteran and former Waratah Adam Ashley-Cooper.

As for expectations, Australia’s five-medal haul (two gold, three silver) of four years ago will take some topping. It has only happened twice, once in Bulgaria (1990 - 6) and the other in Sydney (1996 - 10).

World Athletics U20 Championships 2022: NSW athletes

Girls:

Jasmin Guthrie (18), UTS Norths, 400m, 4 x 400m relay

Isabella Guthrie (18), UTS Norths, 400m hurdles, 4 x 400m relay

Hayley Kitching (17), Coffs Harbour, 800m

Nicola Hogg (18), UTS Norths, 1500m, 3000m

Laura Roderick (18), Randwick Botany, 5000m

Delta Amidzovski (15), Athletics Wollongong, 100m Hurdles

Erin Shaw (17), UTS Norths, High Jump

Katie Gunn (19), Gosford, Long Jump

Aleks Stoilova (17), Westfelds, 4 x 100m relay

Women's U20 100m hurdles Final NSW athlete Delta Amidzovski from Albion Park wins gold. Picture: Juian Andrews

Men's U20 200m Final NSW athlete Connor Bond from Pymble takes silver behind Calab Law from Queensland. Picture: Julian Andrews

Boys:

Luke Boyes (18), Run Crew, 800m

Charlie Jeffreson (17), The King’s School, 800m

Patrick Cantlon (19), Trinity, 1500m, 3000m

Mitchell Lightfoot (19), Maitland, 110m Hurdles

Dominic Panozzo (19), UTS Norths, 400m Hurdles

Connor Bond (19), UTS Norths, 4 x 100m Relay