Sunny Brisbane was once again the host city of the 2023 Chemist Warehouse Australian Athletics Championships, this time for the Juniors (U13-U18) including U15 and U17 Para and U15 to U18 Combined Events. 

Day 1 began on Thursday 13th April with young gun Maia Burdon taking out Gold in the first ever U13 Women's 800m. She set the precedent for future generations with a speedy time of 2:20.52. 

Mia Ehrlich then impressed by winning herself a Bronze Medal when she recorded a massive jump of 5.04m in her U14 Women's Long Jump. 

Closely followed by Lilliana Hoffman with a Silver Medal, after running an impressive 12.80 in the U13 Women's 100m, progressing quickly through the heats earlier in the day. 

Ava Barton then brought home another Bronze Medal for Team SA with a height of 2.85m in the U16 Women's Pole Vault. 

This was quickly pursued by Mali Walters gaining herself a Silver Medal in the Women’s 100m race, this time for the U14 age group with a swift time of 12.42. 

Kelechi Ekwomadu then celebrated fabulously as he earn't himself a well-deserved Gold Medal with an impressive time of 11.11 in the U16 Men’s 100m. 

Thomas Mattinson Rr2/F32 and Ryan Day Rr2/F32 then rounded out day one with consecutive medals in the U15 Men’s PA Club Throw. Tommy took out the Gold with a HUGE throw of 6.78m, this was closely followed by a Silver for Ryan with a grand throw of 4.47m. 

Friday the 14th of April saw Isabel Smart begin day 2 with a massive PB of 11.47m in the U16 Women’s Triple Jump. This also saw her walk away with a Bronze Medal. 

Harrison Clark then left his mark on the U16 Men’s High Jump with a successful clearance of 1.85m, this saw him also bring home the Silver Medal. 

Before long Isla Fahey also claimed a Silver Medal, this time in the U15 Women’s 2000m Steeplechase. Isla got home in a speedy time of 7:07.55 to claim her title. 

After a mammoth performance of 10 events spanning across two days Jevan Phillipou claimed a Bronze Medal in the U17 Men’s Decathlon. His relentless effort saw him accumulate an incredible 6119pts.  

Elise Scott has also brought home a SILVER medal after a phenomenal Race Walk performance of 15:25.27. 

Lily Smart started Sensational Saturday (day 3) with a bang earning herself a Bronze Medal after recording a lengthy jump of 5.84m in the U17 Women's Long Jump. 

Afterwards, Ken Ferrante Tanikawa raced home in a swift 13.47 in the U15 Men's 100m Hurdles - this brilliant performance rewarding Ken with a Silver Medal.  

It was then all smiles for Liam Griffiths after an excitable performance in the U17 Men’s Long Jump resulted in a huge PB jump where he finally cracked the 7m mark! This gave him the pleasure of taking out the title of Australian Champion for his age group. 

Later, Zayden Kamish attained a PB and the Gold Medal with a winning throw of 59.71m in the U17 Men’s age category. 

Sophie Davis was next up on the track with a stunning 200m run in the U15 Women’s PA event that saw her get across the line in only 41.80, claiming her both a Silver Medal and a sensational PB.  

Next up was Keira Post in the U17 Women’s PA 200m, also gaining a Silver Medal for her efforts and swift time of 30.45. 

Andrew Maenda then steamed home in a spectacular 21.53 to take home a Bronze Medal the U18 Men’s 200m. 

And Evan Heath had a remarkably successful afternoon out on the field during the Men’s U18 Javelin, resulting in a throw of 63.35m which saw him take home the title and Gold Medal. 

Jean Marie, Gman Paye, Andrew Maenda & James Withnall wrapped up day 3 with a fantastic team effort in the U18 Men’s 4 x 100m relay which saw them steal a new State Record AND the Silver Medal in a time of 41.86. The previous record of 41.93 had stood since right back in March 95. 

Day 4 began bright and early for Team SA with athletes competing in hurdle heats from 8:15am. 

These were quickly followed by Charlotte McAuliffe accelerating home in 54.37 during the U18 Women’s 400m to take the Gold Medal. Impressively Charlotte also took home the U20 400m title at the Open & U20 2023 Chemist Warehouse Australian Athletics Championships a few weeks ago!!! 

Thomas Mattinson Rr2/F32 and Ryan Day Rr2/F32 again earnt themselves dual medals in the U15 Men’s Shot-Put PA. Tommy earned himself a Silver whilst alongside him Ryan took home the Bronze. 

Daisy Braithwaite then steamed home in a spectacular 25:44.11 to take home the Bronze Medal in the U18 Women’s 5000m Race Walk. 

Next up were the 400m hurdle finals which saw Nicholas Pavia take out the Silver in the U17 Men’s after a breathtaking performance of 56.72. 

Taylor Larsson’s powerful performance in the U18 Womens Shot Put ensued, earning her a Bronze Medal for her put of 14.60m. 

Soon after we again saw Andrew Maenda out on the track, this time flying over the shorter distance in the Men’s U18 100m. His lightning time of 10.68 secured his second Silver Medal of the Championships. 

Keira Post T/F37 then shone through for a spectacular performance in the U17’s Womens’s 100m PA, winning her second Silver Medal of the Juniors with a time of 14.25. 

The final of the Heptathlon events and the 4 X 400m relays concluded the Championships with two more medals for Team SA. Georgie Fielder displayed dominant performances throughout her huge two days of events, resulting in her undeniably taking home the Gold Medal in the U16 Women’s Heptathlon by virtue of a haul of 4979 points. 

Lastly, Ken Ferrante Tanikawa was the final medal winner for Team SA, taking his second medal of the Championships, and this was a Gold one in the U15 Men’s Heptathlon, scoring 3810 points. 

Congratulations to not only our medal winners but all athletes, coaches, officials and supporters of the 2023 Chemist Warehouse Australian Junior Athletics Championships. It was a fabulous four days of competition for all involved.