Green ‘n gold to shine in Tokyo with largest ever Athletics team

A record 88 athletes will represent Australia at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this month, marking the nation’s biggest team ever assembled for a global championships.

More than just a number, the team reflects a sport in full spotlight, with Olympic and world champions competing alongside fearless teens and debutants, ready to continue the momentum seen within Australian athletics since the team’s last visit to Tokyo in 2021.

Among the team is dual Olympic medallist and 2025 Diamond League champion, high jumper Nicola Olyslagers (NSWIS) who has been touted as one of Australia’s strongest chances for gold after soaring to a new national record of 2.04m in Zurich last week.

“This season has been a great build up for Tokyo. I do want to do another personal best, but I haven’t put a limit on what that is because I want to trust God for the greater heights,” Olyslagers said.

“My life changed forever the last time I competed in Tokyo for the Olympics [when claiming silver], so even sharing that stadium this time with my family and friends will be a moment I’ll never forget.”

Joining Olyslagers will be five more Paris Olympic medallists in reigning Olympic and world champion Nina Kennedy (WA), Matthew Denny (QLD) who enters Tokyo off the back of the second-largest discus throw in history, race walker Rhydian Cowley (VIC), middle distance sensation Jessica Hull (NSWIS) who will double in the 800m and 1500m and 2022 world high jump champion Eleanor Patterson (NSWIS).

Adding to the weight of the Olympic medallists, Kurtis Marschall (WA) enters competition as world number four in the Men’s Pole Vault and a bronze medallist at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, while Liam Adcock (QLD) is ranked fifth in the Men’s Long Jump after a breakthrough year which included bronze at the World Indoor Championships and Diamond League final last week.

Equally as important, the team is rich with future stars, with athletes whose appearance in Tokyo marks an important milestone in a journey towards home Games glory. At just 17-years-old, Gout Gout (QLD) will make his senior national team debut following a record-breaking season that’s already attracted global attention.

The Ipswich Grammar school student will line up alongside eight other medallists from the World Athletics Under-20 Championships last year, Olympic semi-finalist Claudia Hollingsworth (VIC) who just last fortnight shattered the Australian 800m record at the Silesia Diamond League, teenage world record holder Cameron Myers (ACT) who leads an all-star line up of metric milers in Tokyo and World Under 20 long jump champion Delta Amidzovski (NSWIS).

Further, the strength of Australian sprinting stocks will be well represented, with all five national relay teams qualified for the first time in history. Australian Athletics General Manager – High Performance, Andrew Faichney noted that the size and caliber of the team was indicative of the sport hitting a new stride, both on the global stage and in the hearts of Australians. “We’ve witnessed a real shift, not just in performance, but in national relevance,” Faichney said.

“This team reflects that change. They’re world class athletes with the results to match, but just as importantly, they’re carrying the momentum of a sport that has so much belief behind it.

“From podiums to grassroots, we’re seeing the influence of this generation of athletes. They’re showing what’s possible and I’m looking forward to seeing them carry the flag for Australia in just a few weeks’ time.”

The 2025 World Athletics Championships will take place in Tokyo from September 13-21, and will be broadcast on both SBS and the Nine Network in Australia. Australian team for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan:

Men 100m: Joshua Azzopardi (NSWIS); Rohan Browning (NSWIS)

200m: Gout Gout (QLD), Calab Law (QLD), Aidan Murphy (SA)

400m: Reece Holder (QLD), Cooper Sherman (VIC) 800m: Peter Bol (WA), Peyton Craig (QLD), Luke Boyes (NSWIS)

1500m: Cameron Myers (ACT), Jude Thomas (QLD), Adam Spencer (VIC)

5000m: Ky Robinson (QLD), Jack Rayner (VIC), Seth O’Donnell (VIC) 3000m Steeplechase: Ed Trippas (VIC)

High Jump: Yual Reath (VIC), Brandon Starc (NSWIS/main picture), Roman Anastasios (VIC)

Pole Vault: Kurtis Marschall (WA)

Long Jump: Liam Adcock (QLD), Christopher Mitrevski (VIC)

Triple Jump: Connor Murphy (NSWIS)

Discus Throw: Matthew Denny (QLD)

Javelin Throw: Cameron McEntyre (NSWIS)

Marathon: Andrew Buchanan (VIC), Tim Vincent (VIC), Liam Boudin (QLD)

20km Race Walk: Rhydian Cowley (VIC), Declan Tingay (VIC), Tim Fraser (ACT)

35km Race Walk: Cowley, Will Thompson (VIC), Mitchell Baker (ACT)

4x100m Relay: Azzopardi, Jacob Despard (TAS), Christopher Ius (NSWIS), Law, Browning, Connor Bond (NSW)

4x400m Relay: Holder, Sherman, Aidan Murphy, Thomas Reynolds (VIC), Terrell Thorne (QLD), Luke van Ratingen (NSWIS) , Augustine Nketia Junior (ACT)

Women

100m: Bree Rizzo (QLD), Torrie Lewis (QLD), Ella Connolly (NSWIS) 200m: Lewis, Mia Gross (VIC), Kristie Edwards (NSWIS)

400m: Ellie Beer (QLD)

800m: Abbey Caldwell (VIC), Claudia Hollingsworth (VIC), Jessica Hull (NSWIS)

1500m: Sarah Billings (VIC), Linden Hall (VIC), Hull *5000m: Rose Davies (NSWIS), Hall, Georgia Griffith (VIC), Lauren Ryan (VIC)

10,000m: Ryan, Isobel Batt-Doyle (SA) 100m Hurdles: Liz Clay (QLD)

400m Hurdles: Sarah Carli (NSWIS), Alanah Yukich (WA)

3000m Steeplechase: Cara Feain-Ryan (QLD), Amy Cashin (VIC)

High Jump: Nicola Olyslagers (NSWIS), Eleanor Patterson (NSWIS), Emily Whelan (NSWIS)

Pole Vault: Nina Kennedy (WA)

Long Jump: Samantha Dale (NSWIS), Delta Amidzovski (NSWIS)

Discus Throw: Taryn Gollshewsky (QLD)

Hammer Throw: Stephanie Ratcliffe (VIC), Lara Roberts (QLD)

Javelin Throw: Mackenzie Little (NSWIS), Lianna Davidson (NSWIS)

Marathon: Vanessa Wilson (VIC), Sarah Klein (VIC), Tara Palm (SA)

Triple Jump: Desleigh Owusu (NSWIS)

20km Race Walk: Rebecca Henderson (VIC), Elizabeth McMillen (NSW), Alexandra Griffin (WA)

35km Race Walk: Olivia Sandery (SA), Henderson, Allanah Pitcher (NSWIS)

Heptathlon: Camryn Newton-Smith (QLD), Tori West (QLD) 4x100m Relay: Connolly, Edwards, Lewis, Rizzo, Georgia Harris (QLD), Leah O’Brien (WA)

4x400m Relay: Beer, Yukich, Gross, Carla Bull (QLD), Jemma Pollard (NSWIS), Carli, Amelia Rowe (WA)

Notes: Jemima Montag (20km Race Walk) and Lachlan Kennedy (100m) were previously announced but have withdrawn due to injuries.

Isobel Batt-Doyle was previously announced to compete in the marathon, but has withdrawn to focus her attention on the 10,000m and Elizabeth McMillen was announced in the 35km Walk and has withdrawn in favour of focussing on the 20km Race Walk.

The Mixed 4x400m Relay to be selected from the 4x400m Squads. *Four athletes have been entered into the Women’s 5000m, with the final athletes to be decided following the resolution of an appeal.

Australian Athletics