A ‘bronzed’ Aussie

NICOLE ROACHE, MARKETING AND ADVANCEMENT MANAGER

Less than two weeks after watching the Paris Olympic Games on TV, Year 11 student Caleb Kilpatrick travelled to Lima, Peru to represent Australia at the World U20 Athletics Championships, the biggest underage Athletics event in the world. The Australian team featured Australia’s best athletics talent, those the ‘powers that be’ believe will be the foundation of our senior teams for the Olympics – 2028 in Los Angeles, and 2032 in Brisbane.

Selected as part of the squad for the 4 x 400m Men’s Relay at the World U20 Athletics Championships, Caleb Kilpatrick was excited to be one of the youngest athletes to compete for Australia.

“I had a good lead into the World Championships after running the qualification time several times and winning the under 18’s 400m Oceania Championship. I was thrilled to be part of the team which included Torrie Lewis, Claudia Hollingsworth and Peyton Craig – all of whom had just competed in the Olympics”.

Caleb arrived in Peru a week before the competition which allowed time for acclimatisation, training and lots of relay practice.

On Day 1 of the World Championships, Australia secured gold in the Mixed 4 x 400m Relay – a fantastic start to the competition.

“It was exciting to celebrate with the team,” Caleb recalled.

His event was still several days away – the heat, then the final, and Caleb’s place was not yet guaranteed.

The selected squad was made up of six athletes, only four of whom would go on to compete in the heat.

Caleb made the most of his time in Peru – connecting with athletes from around the world. Throughout, he remained focused on his training and diet.

Finally, the day of the heats arrived and Caleb found himself running the first leg of the relay.

“I’ve never really run the first leg before. I usually run last. I decided the most important thing was to try to relax because starting is the most stressful part, you can false start and your team doesn’t even get the chance to run.”

Thankfully, Caleb was indeed able to relax. He got out of the blocks quickly and executed a clean lap, handing off the baton and cheering on his teammates as they brought the team home in first place in a season’s-best time to qualify for the final.

Caleb was hopeful his performance had secured his position in the final team. Almost 24 hours later, he breathed a sigh of relief as he was told he had made it. He would again be running the first leg.

Finally, the day arrived.

As the teams were introduced Caleb waved to the large Peruvian crowd and the cameras live-streaming the event around the world. He was in lane eight – the outside of the track with the standout favourites, the USA, in lane seven.

“It was intimidating. We knew that the US was the team to beat. Their first runner was faster than me and his legs finished about where my ribs started!

“He came up on my inside and I knew I needed to remain focused and run my race or I would have blown up in the last 50 metres. I held my ground pretty well, which was, I think, the reason that I was selected to run the final.”

Catching his breath after handing on the baton, Caleb could only watch as his teammates continued to ferry it around, sitting mid-field for much of the race. As the last runner rounded the bend, with just the Polish runner between him and a bronze medal,

Caleb was confident his team would claim third place.

“I knew our runner could finish well, and could see that the Polish runner was starting to blow up, so I thought we had it. The US and South Africa were well ahead, but we knew they were strong, and we thought we could get a medal, so we were all getting loud as he came over the line.”

His prediction was correct, and later that evening, he stood on the podium to receive his medal from Lord Sebastian Coe – a moment he still hasn’t quite processed.

“Standing up there in Australian uniform and getting our medals, was great, it is something I really hope happens again, but it’s not guaranteed, so I did try to make the most of that feeling.

“One of the most memorable moments was walking back into the dining hall at the hotel and the Australian team, and the French team all standing up and clapping us,” he said.

All too soon, the Championships had come to an end, and the demands of daily life returned.

“Since I’ve just been back, I have been busy with sacs, school, exams, real life. During the summer, I’ll probably have time to look back on things a little bit more and, hopefully, it will give me inspiration.”

“I am grateful for all who helped support me on my journey to compete at the highest level: my parents, my coaches, Barwon Sports Academy, The Injury Clinic and the school, who all support me and The Australian Sport Foundation donations that helped me achieve my dream.”

Looking to the future, Caleb has a lot of plans. Following his strong runs in Peru, he was invited to participate in the 400m development program for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and has attended his first training camp on the Gold Coast.

“For now, I am trying a couple of other distances, doing some 800s, experimenting and working on fitness and speed. The focus is World U20s again in 2026. We will have a very good relay team because most of our team is young enough to have another go.

“We are also talking to US Colleges. I want to go somewhere on the coast and to a Division 1 school so there is a bit to work through.”

And as for Brisbane in 2032 what is Caleb aiming for?

“It would be incredible to run the individual event, but I think we will have a really good shot to medal in the 4x400 metre relay. I’d much rather that than just making it to the final in an individual 400-metre race.

“However the cards are dealt, I want to be there.”

Watch the end of the race bit.ly/TGC_Caleb