Oceania Athletes rose to new heights on Day 1 of the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China
Oceania Medal Tally: Gold – 0 Silver – 2 Bronze – 0
Australia Sprinting is here!
Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy stormed home for silver in the Men’s 60m Final. Entering the Championships as the World Lead, there has been a lot of noise about the performances of Oceania Athletes who embraced qualifying for Short Track outdoors. However, it was consistent performances from Kennedy that paved the way to finals.
On track Georgia Griffith advanced to the Women’s 1500m Final, Cooper Sherman qualified for the Men’s 400m Semi-Finals in his first appearance on an indoor track navigating twice as many turns. Oliver Hoare crossed the line 3rd in his heat and not progressing to the final. The 800m duo of Abbey Caldwell and Sarah Billings took on the 4 lap distance, Sarah running an Indoor PB, with both unable to progress to the 800m Finals. Camryn Newton-Smith kicked off the Pentathlon with a bang taking out the first heat of the Championship, however, did not complete all 5 events. Joshua Azzopardi the Area 100m Champion agonisingly misses the 60m Semi Finals but thousandths of a second in 6.70
New Zealand flys to their first medal!
A big stage performer, Hamish Kerr takes home his 3rd global medal in 12 months! The flying Kiwi benefitted from first time clearances throughout the competition, ultimately clearing 2.28m behind Korea’s Sanghyeok Woo.
On track Tiaan Whelpton advanced to the Men’s 60m semi-finals with an automatic qualification running 6.62. Tiaan’s campaign ended at the completion of Semi-Finals. Maia Ramsden returned to the World Indoor Championships for a second time, in the 1500m, the American based Athlete unable to progress in the cut-throat qualification.
Debuting in the black singlet Oceania 800m Champion Alison Andrews Paul and Oceania 1500m Champion Laura Nagel, put on strong performances with their campaigns ending at the heats. In the field Maddison Lee-Wesche and Kaia Tupu-South taking out 15th and 16th respectively in the Women’s Shot Put Final
Pacific Athletes make history!
The Pacific Islands were well represented by a mix of experience and debutants on the global stage. Pais Wisil becomes the first Pacific Island track athlete to progress to a global semi-final in recent history. With his renowned electric start, Pais crossed the line in 6.66 in the heats and 6.73 in the Semi-Final. The Cook Island’s Daniel Tolosa breaking his National Record in a time of 7.09 making this the second National Record for Tolosa this month. Raihai Maiau (PYF) finishes with a season’s best 6.85, the Long Jumper now turns his focus towards qualifying for Tokyo in Long Jump. Multi-Eventer Waisele Inoke (FIJ) 3rd of the Pacific Athletes in 6.94, after a strong college season indoors. Pacific Games 100m Bronze Medallist Johnny Key of Samoa runs a PB of 7.04. Micronesian Games Champion Winzar Kakiouea (NRU) crosses the line in 7.09. Debutants to the World Athletics Stage, the next 5 athletes all leave China with a new 60m personal best, Rizon Leo Rara (VAN) 7.17, Luke Haga (SOL) 7.30, Stan Kostka (FSM) 7.43, Reita Kakianako (KIR) 7.47, and Joe Sika (TGA) 7.97. Guam’s Hugh Kent running a new Indoor 1500m Personal Best of 4:07.37.
Get ready for Day 2 of the World Athletics Indoor Championships – TIMETABLE/RESULTS HERE
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