Territorian Telaya Blacksmith targeting success at Para World Champs

A year on from becoming the first Warlpiri woman to compete at the Paralympics teenager Telaya Blacksmith is continuing her dream of competing at the top level with her sights now on the World Champs.

Australian Paralympic 400m runner Telaya Blacksmith lines up for the 400m T-20 class at the Paris Paralympics. Photo: Jacquelin Magnay

A year ago Telaya Blacksmith was deep in preparations to become the first Warlpiri woman to compete at the Paralympics, now she’s lined up for the world champs with more records in sight.

Blacksmith was raised in Lajamanu, in outback NT, and last year became just the 16th Indigenous athlete selected into the Paralympics squad.

Her love for sport came at a very young age running around at home and now 17 she continues to excel overcoming an intellectual disability to smash record after record that come her way.

Nationally she holds the under-15s, 17s and 20s T20 records in the 100m, 200m and long jump, and has the under-17, under-20, open and Oceania records for the 400m.

It was more than enough to qualify for the Paralympics where she competed at the T20 400m sprint, finishing eighth, and the long jump, beating her own Australian under 20 record jumping 5.21m to get another top 10 result at the Paris Games.

“My love for sport started when I was really young, just running around back home in the NT, I always had so much energy,” she said.

Telaya Blacksmith from Sutherland powers to victory. Picture: Julian Andrews

“I love the way sport brings people together and gives you a purpose.

“My drive comes from wanting to make my family proud, represent my culture, and show young girls, especially from remote communities, that they can do great things too.”

Blacksmith said the lead up to the Paralympics, and the Games themselves, were an incredibly special and busy time in her life.

“I felt so honoured to represent not just Australia, but my Warlpiri family and community in Lajamanu,” she said.

“Being the first Warlpiri woman selected for the Paralympics was a huge moment for me and my family.

“I felt proud knowing I could show other young Aboriginal kids that anything is possible, no matter where you come from or the challenges you face.

“It’s taken a lot of hard work and support from my coaches and family.

“Every record is a reminder of how far I’ve come — from a remote community to setting national records, it shows that with belief and the right support, anything is possible.”

Australian Paralympic 400m runner Telaya Blacksmith lines up for the 400m T-20 class at the Paris Paralympics on Monday night, September 2, 2024. Photo: Jacquelin Magnay

The Vitrus Global Games followed where she finished fourth in the 200m, sixth in the 100m, seventh in the 400m and ninth in the long jump as the competition’s youngest athlete.

Now, she’s qualified for the World Para Athletics championships in September where she’s excited to again represent her country and improve on her times.

“The Paralympics helped me grow so much — mentally and physically,” she said.

“Training and competing at that level gave me discipline and confidence, and taught me how to handle pressure.

“I’ve learned how to bounce back from setbacks and keep focused on long-term goals. It’s made me believe in myself even more.”

Outside of athletics the young star who has relocated to Sydney is in the Sydney Swans AFL Academy and plays for the Miranda Bombers, a sport she loves just as much.

Swans Academy star Telaya Blacksmith as part of the Young Bloods TikTok series. Picture: Sydney Swans

It’s opened the door to one day play AFLW and helped her grow connections in NSW.

“Being part of the Sydney Swans academy has opened another pathway for me, and I’d love to one day play AFLW,” she said.

“It’s a different kind of challenge, but I enjoy both sports and I want to keep as many doors open as I can.

“I’m proud of where I come from in the NT, my Warlpiri roots keep me grounded, but I’ve also built a lot here in NSW, especially through sport and school.

“I feel lucky to carry the strength of both places with me — they’ve shaped who I am.”

Originally published as Territorian Telaya Blacksmith targeting success at Para World Champs