While all eyes will be on Aussie sprint sensation Gout Gout tonight at the Australian Athletics Championships, there is another history-making teenager set to make a splash as well.
Gout Gout further entrenched his reputation as being the next Usain Bolt after cracking the magical 10-second barrier in the 100m sprint twice in one night on Thursday – albeit with illegal tailwinds.
However 17-year-old Leah O’Brien is hot on his heels after breaking a 57-year record in WA earlier this week.
O’Brien is still coming to terms with what she achieved earlier this week in her hometown of Perth.
The high school sprinter stunned the athletics world on Tuesday, breaking a national record that had stood since 1968.
O’Brien streaked to victory in the under-18 girls 100m final at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships, clocking a blistering time of 11.14 seconds.
Leah O’Brien blitzes the field at the Junior Athletic Championships in Perth to break a long-standing 100m record that the greats of the sport couldn’t crack
The 17-year-old will now attempt to back that run up in the senior heats at the Australian Athletic Championships
That time eclipsed the long-standing national U18 record of 11.20, set by Olympic great Raelene Boyle at the Mexico City Games.
Boyle, who was also 17 at the time, went on to win silver in the 200m at those Olympics and later claimed two more silvers at the 1972 Munich Games.
Now O’Brien will back up her efforts at the junior championships when she takes to the senior heats on Saturday – where she may even find herself side-by-side with Lewis.
For 57 years, no Australian teenager had managed to beat Boyle’s time — not even sprint legends Melinda Gainsford-Taylor, Sally Pearson, or current national record-holder Torrie Lewis. Until now.
‘I’m still really in shock because I honestly didn’t expect to run it,’ O’Brien said on Thursday.
‘It honestly means so much because Raelene Boyle [was] such a phenomenal athlete. I’m sure so many people know her and that record has gone down in history.’
‘To break it after 57 years is so special to me, especially on a home track in Perth.’
Her performance has placed her ninth on the all-time international list for under-18 100m sprinters.
O’Brien is hoping to represent Australia at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 and is on the fast track to get there
She is also now equal fourth on Australia’s all-time list — a position she shares with Pearson.
O’Brien’s rise is part of a new wave of young sprint talent in Australia.
She now joins the likes of Gout Gout, world indoor silver medallist Lachlan Kennedy, and Australia’s fastest woman Torrie Lewis.
‘It’s around the time that the open girls run, which is crazy to be running that still in high school,’ O’Brien said.
‘I honestly thought my race in the heats (11.46) was a really good time. I expected to maybe go 11.3 in the final but I’m so happy because I have been working really hard for that.’
On Friday, O’Brien will line up in the heats of the women’s open 100m at the Australian Athletics Championships.
The event could set the stage for a thrilling showdown with Lewis in Saturday’s final.
Despite her youth, O’Brien isn’t daunted by the challenge.
Gout Gout broke the 10 second barrier twice with wind-assisted runs at the Athletics Championships in Perth
The promising Queenslander has been likened to Usain Bolt at the same age and is set to make his mark at the LA Olympics
‘I’m pretty excited to get the race experience,’ said O’Brien, who is coached by Briaden Clarke.
‘I don’t have too high hopes racing in opens. Obviously, I’ve already done five runs.’
‘My body is a bit more fatigued than the other girls and I’m not as fresh but I think my goal hopefully will be making the final or even if I don’t, to have a good run in the semis.’
‘I really look up to the top girls in Australia like Torrie Lewis and Bree Masters. I’m always watching their Instagram reels and looking at their photos. It just looks so great and inspirational.’
O’Brien’s success in the 100m wasn’t her only achievement at the nationals.
She also claimed the under-18 200m title, further cementing her reputation as one of the country’s brightest young stars.
Her performance quickly drew attention online, with popular account athsSTATS stunned by the result.
‘WHHAAAAA ??? What is going on?’ the account posted.
‘Leah O’Brien has only just turned 17 – she’s just run 11.14 (+1.7) and broken probably one of the most untouchable records on the Australian record books … Raelene Boyle’s Mexico Olympic 4th place (at altitude) 11.20 when she was 17.’
‘That’s equal #4 Australian woman of all-time, only 0.04 from the national senior record of Torrie Lewis.’
As she reflected on the achievement, O’Brien acknowledged the support of those closest to her.
‘A lot of my family and friends are here, this is definitely the most support I have ever had,’ she said.
‘It’s so great to experience this moment with the people I love and share the happiness.’
‘I think I have really put my name out there and hopefully I can be in contention for teams in the future.’
