WEATHER DOESN’T DAMPEN SUPER SUNDAY AT WA ATHLETICS STADIUM

The 2024 WA State Championships Powered by Go For 2&5 has gone out with a bang, concluding with the state’s best athletes showing off their prowess in the field and on the track. Sasha Zhoya had the crowd up and about, saluting his home state with a spectacular season-opener on his path to Paris. Melissa Foster sprang to an incredible World Masters Record, whilst Olivia Dodds claimed her second consecutive state title in the Women’s U20 200m. 

Despite rainy weather, nothing could dampen the love for WA-turned-French athletics prodigy Sasha Zhoya. Setting the second fastest time in the world for 2024, Zhoya combated a –2.1 headwind to produce a masterclass in the Men’s 110m Hurdles and collect the WA State Champion in 13.45 (-2.1). 

“It was a tricky race today; the weather wasn’t on our side, but you’ve got to learn how to run in all conditions. It was a good entry and I had fun so that was the main thing, I stayed healthy and there were no injuries so I’m stoked and I’m very happy I could have a season opener in Perth.” 

“[Running in Perth] is a great feeling; I’ve missed it so much. I felt it when I did my first run through, the crowd was cheering. You don’t understand how good of a feeling that it, when an athlete feels the public behind them. I appreciate everyone that is out here today.” 

WA is quickly becoming a hot spot of World Masters Athletics records with Jumper Melissa Foster leaping into the record books with a huge jump in the Women’s Open Long Jump. Besting the previous record set by Bulgaria’s Magdalena Hristova, Foster cleared 5.71m to extend the World Masters Athletics Women’s Master’s 45-50 age group by one centimetre. Caitlin Blackman took out the gold in the Open Women’s Long Jump, registering a huge score of 5.88m, on her second attempt, whilst Tori Moss provided her with healthy competition, finishing with a silver medal after a jump of 5.83m’s. 

“That feels unreal, I’m shaking, and I’ve got goosebumps. It’s something I have thought I was capable of for a long time, and to be able to get everything to line up is just incredible. I’m very proud and pleased that I could do it at home in front of my mum and my first coach.” Foster said.  

The 200m finals capped off a huge four days of Championship action. Olivia Dodds collected the 100m-200m double to best Tracksters’ Amelia Rowe in the Under 20 finals. A tight battle coming into the straight, Dodds motored away over the final 50m to collect the State title in a World Under 20 qualifier of 23.89 (-0.1), with Rowe crossing second in 24.11 (-0.1).  

There were impressive results in the Men’s and Women's Open 200m finals. Annie Pfeiffer triumphed in the Women’s with a flying final straight to claim victory in 24.81 (-1.3), while Conor Larranaga-Boyle powered through the line to win the Men’s final in 21.69 (-0.5). 

Out in the field, the Open Long Jump finals thrilled the crowds with Jacob Hristianopoulos returning to the top of the podium despite tough competition from young gun Joondalup athlete Callum James. Hristianopoulos launched a massive state title-winning jump of 6.97m on his first attempt, with James throwing his hat in contention after a third-round jump of 6.90m.  

Mia Gordon made a triumphant return to the WA Athletics Stadium after moving to Brisbane late in 2023. Capping off the weekend in cool and blustering conditions, Gordon made the most of her visit to collect the Women’s Open Javelin state title. Gordon faced tough competition from UWA’s Tiana Pavlovich but was able to edge ahead with a best throw of 49.33m, while Pavlovich collected silver with 47.98m.  

Fans can relive all the action from the 2024 WA State Track & Field Championships powered by Go For 2&5 free and exclusive on Streamer.  

You can follow all of the athletics action via Athletics West’s Facebook & Instagram pages.. 

For more information on how you can get involved in athletics, contact Athletics West on 0862720480. 

By David Smith and Dylan Gane  

Posted on 25 February 2024