Teen Aussie athletics prodigy reveals what she was thinking as she smashed legend Sally Pearson’s 20-year-old 100m hurdles record – and her dream to compete in the Paris Olympics
- Delta Amidzovski breaks long-standing record
- Teen prodigy explains what she was thinking
- Star would love to appear at Paris 2024 Olympics
Teenage prodigy Delta Amidzovski has revealed what went through her mind when she smashed Sally Pearson’s 20-year-old 100m hurdles record to win gold at the Australian junior championships.
The 16-year-old rising star from New South Wales finished the race in 13.03 seconds on Sunday, shaving 0.12 seconds off the mark set by Olympic gold medallist Pearson in 2003.
‘I didn’t believe it when I crossed the line. I looked at the time, I was really shocked. I didn’t think I would [break the record],’ the teenager told Channel 7 on Tuesday in her first ever TV interview.
‘I thought it was fast. I was tracking some good times at training but I didn’t think it would be that fast.
‘I mean, to break her record is a pretty big achievement, so I wasn’t expecting it.
Delta Amidzovski has revealed what she was thinking when she smashed Sally Pearson’s 20-year-old 100m hurdles record to win gold at the Australian junior championships
The 16-year-old rising star from New South Wales finished the race in 13.03 on Sunday, shaving 0.12 seconds off the mark set by Olympic gold medallist Pearson in 2003
‘I have looked back at it, I think it is probably one of my quickest races.
‘I’ve been working on getting over the hurdle a lot quicker with my trail leg as well so it definitely looks pretty quick on video.’
Amidzovski, who also took out the national junior long jump title on the weekend, is hopeful that she will now get selected for August’s Commonwealth Youth Games.
She’s also daring to dream about appearing at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
‘There is a chance,’ she said.
‘There are some good hurdlers at the moment in the older age groups. I hope I can make it.
‘If not, the 2032 Brisbane Olympics will be the one to watch out for me.’
Australian sprinting legend Matt Shirvington said the youngster’s trajectory is very similar to that of Pearson.
Amidzovski, who also took out the national junior long jump title on the weekend, is hopeful that she will now get selected for August’s Commonwealth Youth Games
Australian sprinting legend Matt Shirvington said the youngster’s trajectory is very similar to that of Pearson
‘When [Pearson] went through and set that record, she went on to become world youth champion that same year,’ Shirvington said.
‘Less than five years later she was an Olympic medallist and then another four (years) on, Olympic champion. That’s the type of trail she’s heading on.’