Athletes shine on national stage

Toowoomba Grammar School students pick up national medals

RISING STARS: Toowoomba athletes (from left) Josh Roach, Wihan Kruger and Jai Gordon returned from the Australian Track and Field Championships with medals. Picture: Jason Gibbs

ATHLETICS: The Garden City is quickly establishing itself as a breeding ground for talented track and field stars.

Wihan Kruger, Josh Roach and Jai Gordon are the latest Toowoomba athletes celebrating Australian Track and Field Championships success.

Heading into the Sydney event, sprinter Jai Gordon was confident he could push for a medal - his 200m bronze, however, was a real shock.

"It was the run of my life really,” he said.

"My (race) starts are normally my strength, but this time I was really strong at the back end as well.

"I started really well and finished over the top of guy running third.

"It was a real shock because the level of competition at these events is always really strong.”

Like Gordon, runner Josh Roach was happy with his performance against the best Australia has to offer.

"These were my second nationals, and the competition is always really tough,” he said.

"I've been working on technique a lot, though, and it paid off.

"It's really important you have that solid technique so that you can run at a good pace for the whole race.

"And you have to run your own race as well - some runners start strong, others finish strong - you just have to run your race and focus on yourself.”

Competing in three throwing disciplines, Wihan Kruger was happy to bring home a medal.

"I've been training a lot,” Kruger said.

"Lots of technique, drills, strength and conditioning.

"It's great see it all paid off with a gold medal.

"I think my mindset helped a lot as well.”

Originally published as Athletes shine on national stage