A BARWON Heads hurdler is generating momentum as he dashes towards a potential debut at the World Athletics Championships in 2026.<\/p>\n
The 16-year-old is presently only 0.4ms away from a qualifying time for the World Athletics U20 Games in Oregon next year.<\/p>\n
Smith is coming off a gold medal at the state championships in the Open Men’s 400m hurdles and wins in the Under 18 400m and 110m hurdles events.<\/p>\n
He holds the national record for 300m hurdles.<\/p>\n
Smith said the prospect of competing on the world stage was incredibly exciting.<\/p>\n
‘I’m excited to compete against others that have same goals and expectations.<\/p>\n
“These world juniors would be a big milestone and an eye-opener to my future in the sport.”<\/p>\n
With plans of going to college in future years, Smith said training and competitions were likely to get more intense.<\/p>\n
Smith will lean on local coach Gerry Consedine, who has been by his side for eight years.<\/p>\n
“It will definitely be a step up to what I’m used to especially since their season is different,” he said.<\/p>\n
“I will have to adapt my peaking times to it by tapering during our winter and so on.”<\/p>\n
If he can peak at the right time, the 2032 Olympics is within his grasp.<\/p>\n
“My biggest goal and biggest dream is to compete at the Olympics,” Smith said.<\/p>\n
“2032 will be a perfect year for it, so fingers crossed I stay away from injuries and give it my best to get there.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A BARWON Heads hurdler is generating momentum as he dashes towards a potential debut at the World Athletics Championships in 2026. The 16-year-old is presently only 0.4ms away from a qualifying time for the World Athletics U20 Games in Oregon next year. Smith is coming off a gold medal at the state championships in the […]<\/p>\n