2025 AUSTRALIAN OPEN AND U20 CHAMPIONSHIPS | DAY THREE RECAP

Australian athletics has never looked brighter as the country’s top track talent posted a series of unbelievable results, including WA’s very own Leah O’Brien, Josiah John and Emilia Reed producing something special on Day 3.

In arguably the race of the Championships, Leah O’Brien has posted an unforgettable performance. In a virtual three-way dead heat, O’Brien dashed home in the Open Women’s 100m final to cross the line shoulder-to-shoulder with Torrie Lewis (QLD) and Bree Rizzo (QLD). Missing the top spot on the podium by only 0.004 to Lewis, O’Brien claimed silver in 11.24 (240) (0.9), ahead of Rizzo, who ran 11.25. O’Brien capped off a fairytale Australian Athletics Championships with her first individual Open medal.

Sprint stars Josiah John and Emilia Reed delivered dominant performances in the Under 200m finals to both claim gold. John looked untouchable in the Men’s 200m race and entered the straight unchallenged, powering home in a wind-assisted 20.74 (2.2). At just 14 years of age, Emilia Reed once again delivered a race beyond her years to set a slew of State Records and collect gold in the Under 20 age group. Flying through the line in 23.29 (1.2), Reed reclaims the Under 18 and Under 20 200m from Leah O’Brien, establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with.

Throwing down a World Para Athletics qualifier of 12.77 in the heats of the Open Women’s Para 100m, Rhiannon Clarke left nothing to chance on Super Saturday. Progressing to the finals with Paralympian Ella Pardy, the duo launched a massive slew of 100m action, Clarke impressed in her final to cross the line in 12.76 (2.1) and once again claim the National title.

WA’s pole-vaulting pedigree was on full show with five West Australians starting in the Open Women’s final. A fierce competition saw the medals awarded on countback, with Olivia Gross claiming her first Australian title after clearing 4.21m and young gun Leila Barker securing equal bronze with a clearance of 4.10m.

Aden McDonald produced magic in the Under 20 Men’s Long Jump final with a huge wind-assisted jump of 4.71m (2.6). McDonald flew into the lead in a competition where the minor medals were decided by only 1cm. WA’s Aston Archer missed the national podium by 1cm, jumping a new personal best of 7.45m, while Harry McCabe placed fifth with a 7.27m (2.4).

Perth favourite Etienne Rousseau unleashed in the Men’s Open Discus final in a fierce battle with ACT’s Ethan Ayodele and SA’s Darcy Miller. Rousseau led the competition as they entered the final round. However, Ayodele’s final throw of 57.25m dropped Rousseau to silver, with West Australian’s 56.86m claiming second.  

Emily Prior started the morning session with another silver medal for WA, throwing 5.29m in the Seated Discus competition to claim second place with 23.38% of the baseline score.

World Under 20 representative Amelia Rowe stepped up into the senior ranks and delivered an incredible performance in the Women’s Open 400m race to claim bronze in 52.49.

Delivering another strong track performance, Joshua Reeve secured the bronze medal in the Men’s Under 20 Para 800m final. Reeve crossed the line in 2:06.57 to clinch bronze with 86.67% of the baseline score.

WA launched the afternoon session with an impressive Women’s Under 20 4x400m relay run to claim the bronze medal. The combination of Blair Bell, Madison Esquivel, Cassiana Papadoulis and Kyra Pilmer delivered a clean race and crossed the line in 3:52.21.

Olympian Peter Bol will lead the charge for Western Australian in the Men’s Open 800m final on Sunday. Leading the field, Bol will look to unleash in front of the home crowd when he takes on young gun Cameron Myers (ACT).

WA continues to impress in the one-lap race, even with 10 barriers in the way, with Mia Shelley and Alfred Mill both securing spots in their respective Under 20 400m Hurdles finals.  

Jonah Hanikeri stormed around the Stadium to secure his spot in the Men’s Under 20 1500m, while Lia Watters and Eilidh Mulroy nab the final two spots in the Women’s Under 20 1500m set for Sunday.

The 2025 Australian Athletics Championships is the final stop of the Chemist Warehouse Summer Series and is supported by the WA Government through Tourism Western Australia, Venues West and Athletics West. 

Tickets can be purchased HERE. 

You can follow all the athletics action from the 2025 Chemist Warehouse Australian Athletics Championships via Athletics West’s Facebook and Instagram pages.  

For more information about how you can get started in athletics, contact Athletics West on 08 6272 0480 or email admin@athleticswest.com.au 

By David Smith, Athletics West

Posted 12 April 2025