Delta Amidzovski (NSW) has added the women’s 100m hurdles crown to her impressive list of 2023 achievements at the Commonwealth Youth Games. 

The national under 18 record holder after lowering the long-standing mark of Sally Pearson to 13.03 at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships, Amidzovski today kept her cool despite challenges with the start equipment to blitz the field in a time of 13.25 (w: +0.7). 

“The start was a bit tricky, we were asked to stand up a few times, and after I got out of the blocks I had to take my time to find my stride,” Amidzovski said. 

“It’s my second gold medal of the Games and am just so happy with my results. It’s a fast track and I’ve loved it.” 

Amidzovski now looks forward to pushing herself further in 2024, with a second appearance at the World Athletics Junior Championships her aim for the upcoming domestic season. 

“I was having a bit of a chat to myself this morning, I was a bit sore after the long jump, and reminded myself it’s mind over matter, mind over body and then focused on this race,” Amidzovski said. 

“I’ve got world juniors in my sights next year, I loved my time on that team last year and want to get back. I more than anything just want to stay fit and healthy, and keep enjoying the sport. That’s what matters to me right now.” 

The silver and bronze medal were won by Thea Brown (13.53) of England and Tumi Rapogkawa (13.53) of South Africa, with Jasynta Lampret (NSW) crossing sixth (14.05). 

Australia also won silver and bronze in the women’s T38 long jump for athletes with cerebral palsy, as Niamh MacAlasdair (WA, 4.09m) and Reese Prior (WA, 3.73m) were beaten for gold by Maddie Down (4.70m) of England. 

“It’s crazy that we’ve come all the way from Perth together and jumped to win silver and bronze,” MacAlasdair said. 

“These are among the first para-events at the Youth Games and I hope this highlights anyone can get involved in sport, particularly when they’re support by one of their best friends.” 

“I’m beyond excited that I’ve won a bronze. Niamh and I push each other, and this whole experience together has been amazing,” Prior added. 

In the men’s 400m hurdles final, Matthew Hunt (NSW) run under protest after falsely being accused of a false start. He finished just outside the medals in a time of 52.37. 

Each of Fleur Cooper (NSW) and Grace Krause (NSW) also progressed to the final of their events on the final day of athletics competition tomorrow. 

Cooper clocked 2:07.28 to cross second in the women’s 800m after leading from the outset before being edged out in the final stages by Pheobe Gill of (2:05.83) of England. Krause advances based on her time, running 23.91 (w: +0.8) to place fourth in her semi-final. 

At the velodrome, Tayte Ryan (SA) has joined Lauren Bates (ACT) and Keira Will (NSW) on the gold medal winners’ list at the cycling, taking line honours in the men’s sprint on day two of action. 

The fastest qualifier coming into the final, Ryan continued his form as he raced for gold, outclassing Syndal Samaroo of the host nation to win both races. The result adds to his Australian championship earlier this year. 

“I rode exactly how I wanted to and kept the tactics of the sprint in my court. I am absolutely happy with how it has all played out in the end,” Ryan said. 

Liliya Tatarinoff (NSW) and Noah Blannin (Qld) won their maiden cycling medals on day six, too, claiming bronze in the women’s sprint and men’s 3000m pursuit respectively. 

“Honestly, I’m disappointed that I didn’t make the gold medal race, but am happy with how I raced for bronze,” Tatarinoff said. 

“The goal coming here was to win a medal. I’m pumped that I’ve been able to tick that off with my first event, ahead of more racing tomorrow,” Blannin, who clocked 3:24.840, said. 

Not to be outdone were Bates and Will in the women’s scratch race as they further confirmed their credentials as the riders of the Games. 

Coming home in a sprint, it was Millie Thompson of Scotland that split the pair, as Bates won gold and Will bronze. 

Rounding out the gold medallists is Hannah Allen (QLD) in the women’s 800m freestyle and Mikayla Bird (QLD) in the 200m butterfly. 

A timed final with swimmers competing across two heats, Allen’s 8:48.66 was enough for her to secure the gold, while Bird added a third top of the podium finish to her Trinbago 2023 campaign in a time of 2:12.66. 

Poppy Stephen (QLD) joined Bird on the podium silver, winning her maiden Trinbago 2023 medal in a time of 2:13.44. 

Australia also won bronze in the mixed 4x100m relay in a time of 3:59.12, with England and Scotland winning gold and silver respectively. 

The action at the velodrome and the Hasely Crawford Stadium closes out competition in Port of Spain tomorrow, ahead of the Closing Ceremony of Trinbago 2023 on 11 August.