VALLEY ATHLETES WIN THREE MEDALS AT NATIONALS

The 2026 Australian Athletics Championships held at Sydney Olympic Park from 9^th April to 12^thApril 2026 proved to be an outstanding showcase of the rich pool of talent that has emerged in Australian athletics in recent times. Against that backdrop it was a credit to the three DVAC athletes who won a medal at this year’s Championships.

All of the nine DVAC athletes (5 Female & 4 Male) who did compete in the Open, Para or Under 20 Combined events are to be congratulated on their performances at the most challenging of competitions.

The three medal winners were:

SILVER:

Elyssia Kenshole (F Senior): Pole Vault: 4.32m

Elyssia cleared a height of 4.32m after coming in at 3.85m and then progressing over 4.00m and 4.12m. The 4.32m clearance is the second best height that Elyssia has had since her 4.35m in December 2025. Elyssia had a big group of supporters in the stands applauding her achievement after each clearance.

Jordan Rudd (T20) (M Para Senior): 800m: 2:08.57

Jordan competed on every day of the Championship, logging up a 400m (55.01) on the Thursday, a 1500m (4:26.54) on the Friday, an 800m (2:08.57) on the Saturday and a 200m (25.86) on the Sunday. The 1500m time was a 12second pb and Jordan’s run of the meet. Stepping up to compete in the Senior level for the first year and given the depth talent in the Para fields, medals were hotly contested. When Jordan took off in the 800m he was definitely a man on a mission and by the time he went through the 400m in 62seconds, Jordan had opened up a sizeable gap on third and he was able to hold on for the silver medal.

BRONZE:

Ryan Blair (T38/F38) (M Para Senior): Shot Put: 13.35m

Off a limited preparation of only two meets before the Nationals, Ryan recorded his first 13 meter put with the 5kg Shot. In competition, Ryan sent the Shot out a distance of 13.35m (Club record) to tie up his Bronze medal at Nationals. The Shot Put (Para) final had a field of 12 competitors. Ryan’s best throw produced a BASELINE score of 83.69% which does suggest that Ryan will be earning medals again before too long. Ryan finished 7^th in the Discus with a best throw of 33.79m.

THE ATHLETES:

ASHER ANDREWS:

A wonderful performance in the MU20 Decathlon, especially given that Asher had a limited preparation due to a ankle injury late last year as well as a calf injury. Personal best performances posted in the Decathlon total (DVAC Club Record) (6555pts), the 100m (10.90), 400m (52.60) and the 110m Hurdles (15.95).

Asher was the top ranked athlete in the field in both the Pole Vault (4.20m) and the 100m. He put up Decathlon best results in the Shot Put (12.78m), Discus (39.98m) and the Pole Vault. Asher’s results in the High Jump (1.70m) and the Long Jump (6.20m) were certainly affected by the limited training.

Ten events in two days … that’s tough work. But to save the 1500m until the final event … that’s just nasty!

Asher finished just one point behind the 4^th placed athlete.

Asher is definitely a Valley hero! Congratulations, Asher.

KEELY BOYNE:

Keely came into the Nationals in her best form ever, having posted 5 out of the last six 100m’s all under 12 seconds. At Sydney, Keely did not disappoint with her times. In the Heat, Keely went through in second place to gain an automatic qualifier. Her time was 11.72. In the Semi final Keely crossed in 11.88.

KIRRA WRIGHT (T36/F36):

Kirra made the big move up from U20 to Senior competition and the going is so tough. There were four Heats of the 100m and then the Final. Kirra got through the Heats with a time of 14.89 and a ranking of 5^th out of 30. In the Final, Kirra lowered her best time again, this time to 14.87 which placed her 6^th.

In the 200m, Kirra ran a pb time of 31.79 but missed the final.

Kirra finished in 5^th place in the final of the Shot Put with a best put of 7.62m.

DILLON VIDANAPATHIRANA (T20):

Dillon has finished the 2025/2026 summer in terrific form and in the final of the M Para Senior 400m, Dillon clocked 55.49 to place 7^th.

ELISHA BLAIR:

Stepping up to run in the Senior ranks is always a big challenge and Elisha will benefit from the experience. Elisha ran the 100m in 12.94 in the Preliminaries.

TARA SMITH:

Tara went into the Australian Championships with a recent best throw of 43.57m with the 4kg Hammer which was well over the FU23 qualifying distance of 40.00. Young athletes need to gain experience at the Nationals.

2025 Australian Athletics Championships

9/4/2026 - 12/4/2026

Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre

DVAC Results:

Female:

100m: Keely Boyne: 11.88 (Semi); 11.72 (Q) Prelim

100m: Elisha Blair: 12.94 Prelim

200m: Keely Boyne DNS

100m: Para: Kirra Wright (T36/F36): 14.87* (91.99%) (6^th); 14.89* (91.87%) Prelim (Q)

200m: Para: Kirra Wright (T36/F36): 31.64* (89.15%) Heats

Hammer Throw: (4kg): Qualification: Tara Smith: NM

Pole Vault: Elyssia Kenshole: 4.32m (2^nd)

ShotPut: Para: Kirra Wright (T36/F36): 7.62m (64.63%): 5^th

Male: Senior:

200m: (Para): 200m (Prelim): Jordan Rudd (T20): 25.86 (pb) (82.94%) (19^th/28)

400m: (Para): Final A: Jordan Rudd (T20): 55.01 (pb) (85.18%) 4^th;

400m: (Para): Final B: Dillon Vidanapathirana (T20): 55.49 (pb) (84.44%) 7^th;

800m: (Para): Final: Jordan Rudd (T20): 2:08.57: (85.48%): 2^nd/5

1500m:(Para): Final: Jordan Rudd (T20): 4:26.54*: (84.74%): 7^th/9

Discus (1.5kg): (Para): Final: Ryan Blair (T38/F38): 33.79m*: (63.86%): 7^th

Shot Put: (5kg): Para: Final: Ryan Blair (T38/F38): 13.35m*: (83.69%): 3^rd

Male: U20:

Decathlon: Asher Andrews:

100m: 10.90 (pb) (883pts): 1^st/17

Long Jump: 6.20m (sb) (630pts): 8^th/17

Shot Put: 12.78m (pb) (654pts): 5^th/17

High Jump: 1.70m (sb) (544pts): 10^th/17

400m: 52.60 (pb) (699pts): 11^th/17

110m Hurdles: (91.1cm): 15.95 (738pts): 10^th/17

Discus: (1.75kg): 39.98m: (664pts): 2^nd/17

Pole Vault: 4.20m: (673pts): 1^st/17

Javelin: (800g): 50.33m (593): 4^th/17

1500m: 5:14.83: (477pts): 12^th/17

Total: 6555pts*: 5^th/17

(* indicates a DVAC club record)