Eddie Nketia, the rising sprint star, will make his debut for Australia at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after being selected in the athletics team. The 22-year-old, who was born in Ghana and moved to Australia as a child, has been granted Australian citizenship and will now represent the country he calls home.
Selection Confirmed
Nketia's selection was confirmed by Athletics Australia on Tuesday, with the sprinter set to compete in the 100m and 4x100m relay events. His personal best of 9.96 seconds in the 100m makes him one of the fastest Australians in history, and he is expected to challenge for medals in Glasgow.
Journey to Australian Representation
Nketia first came to prominence in 2024 when he won the national 100m title at the Australian Championships. However, he was unable to compete for Australia internationally until his citizenship was finalized. The process took several months, but he was officially granted citizenship in May 2026.
"I'm incredibly proud to finally represent Australia on the world stage," Nketia said. "This has been a dream of mine since I moved here, and I want to make my family and my new country proud."
Impact on Australian Athletics
Nketia's addition to the team is a significant boost for Australian sprinting, which has struggled to produce world-class talent in recent years. His time of 9.96 seconds places him second on the all-time Australian list, behind only Patrick Johnson's 9.93 seconds.
Athletics Australia high-performance manager Andrew Faichney said Nketia's inclusion "raises the bar" for the entire team. "Eddie is a phenomenal talent, and we believe he can win multiple medals at the Commonwealth Games," Faichney said.
Commonwealth Games Preparation
Nketia will now prepare for the Games, which begin in July. He is expected to face stiff competition from Jamaican and English sprinters, but his recent form suggests he can challenge for the podium.
"I've been training hard, and I know what I'm capable of," Nketia added. "I'm ready to give it my all in Glasgow."
The Australian athletics team for the Commonwealth Games includes 48 athletes, with Nketia among the headline names. The team will depart for Glasgow in late June.
