Eddie Nketia has etched his name into the history books, breaking the Australian all-conditions 100 metres record with a blistering time of 9.74 seconds at the Queensland Athletics Championships on Saturday.
A historic sprint
The 22-year-old from Brisbane shaved 0.11 seconds off the previous record of 9.85 seconds set by Patrick Johnson in 2003. Nketia’s time is the fastest ever recorded by an Australian under any conditions, surpassing Johnson’s mark which was also wind-assisted.
The race was run with a tailwind of +2.1 metres per second, just over the legal limit of +2.0 m/s for record purposes. Therefore, the time will not be recognised as an official Australian record, but it stands as the all-conditions best.
Dominant performance
Nketia exploded out of the blocks and never looked back, crossing the line well clear of the field. His time would have placed him third in the men’s 100m final at the Tokyo Olympics, behind only Marcell Jacobs (9.80) and Fred Kerley (9.84).
“I’m absolutely stoked,” Nketia said after the race. “I’ve been working so hard, and to see it pay off like this is incredible. The conditions were perfect, and I just went out there and executed my race plan.”
Rising star
Nketia has been making waves in Australian athletics since his junior days. He won gold in the 100m and 200m at the 2022 World Under-20 Championships, and he is now firmly established as one of the country’s brightest sprint prospects.
His performance has drawn comparisons to some of the greats of Australian sprinting, including Johnson and Matt Shirvington. Coach Andrew Murphy said Nketia’s dedication and talent are exceptional.
“Eddie has a rare combination of speed and strength,” Murphy said. “He’s still learning and improving, and I believe there’s even more to come. This is just the beginning for him.”
Looking ahead
With the World Athletics Championships in Budapest just months away, Nketia’s form is a huge boost for Australian track and field. He is expected to be a strong contender for a medal in the 100m and 4x100m relay.
Nketia will now turn his attention to the Australian Championships in April, where he will aim to secure his spot on the national team for Budapest. If he can replicate this form, he could become the first Australian man to win a global sprint medal since Johnson’s bronze at the 2003 World Championships.
The Queensland Athletics Championships continue on Sunday with more high-quality competition expected.
