Speedsters Smash Relay Record as Historic Quest for Sub-10-Second 100m Picks Up Pace

Lachlan Kennedy and Josh Azzopardi are part of a cohort of sprinters aiming to become the first Australian in over two decades to break the 10-second barrier in the 100m sprint.

However, during the Sydney Track Classic on Saturday night, under dry and warm conditions perfect for sprinting, they set aside their rivalry and united for a record-breaking performance in the relay.

The team, comprising Kennedy, Azzopardi, Christopher Ius, and Calab Law, in that order, clocked an impressive 37.87 seconds, breaking the national record for the 4x100m relay.

The previous record of 38.12 seconds was established at last year’s Paris Olympics by a team including Kennedy, Jacob Despard, Law, and Azzopardi.

Later that evening in Sydney, Azzopardi returned to the track for the 100m dash, delivering a blistering time of 10.06 seconds to secure victory.

A collective sigh spread through the crowd when it became clear that Azzopardi’s time had been aided by an illegal wind reading of +2.4 metres per second. Nonetheless, the 25-year-old expressed that this rapid performance would motivate him in his quest to go under the 10-second mark.

“Absolutely, it’s definitely a confidence booster,” Azzopardi stated to the media.

“I thought it was a very well-executed run, and that’s what I aimed to achieve tonight, regardless of the time; I just wanted to execute perfectly and come away with the win.”

“Sprinting in Australia is in a fantastic place right now. We’re all pushing each other to new achievements.

“I thought I might have dipped under the mark, but that’s alright.

“The nationals in Perth next month are going to be intense. Something extraordinary is going to happen, whether it’s me or one of the other guys. We’re all going to deliver; I can assure you. It’s going to be an incredible race that no one should miss.”

Earlier on Saturday, at the Queensland Athletics Championships in Brisbane, Rohan Browning recorded a time of 10.12 seconds (+1.2 wind) to clinch the B final of the open 100m in his season debut.

Gout Gout triumphed in the under-20 section of the 100m in Brisbane, completing the race in 10.38 seconds despite the challenging wind of -1.4.

Browning (personal best of 10.01), Kennedy (10.03), Azzopardi (10.09), Sebastian Sultana (10.11), and Gout are all striving to become the first Australian since Patrick Johnson—and only the second ever—to break through the 10-second threshold.

The 9.93 achieved by Johnson in Japan in 2003 remains a significant milestone in Australian athletics.

Sultana, the defending national champion in the 100m, finished in second place to Azzopardi at the Sydney Track Classic, registering a time of 10.08.

Additionally on Saturday night, Peter Bol triumphed in the 800m race, clocking a time of 1:44.86 with a commanding lead throughout the race.

“I’m keen to return to my peak this year,” Bol mentioned to the media.

“My last peak was during the Tokyo Olympics; this year, we’re heading back to Tokyo for the world championships in September. I aim to be at my best for that event.”

“I’m uncertain about what my capabilities will be in Tokyo, but I feel strong, healthy, and ready to perform, so with those factors aligned, I plan to be at my best. If I can achieve that, I’ll be on the podium.”

A remarkable performance came from 17-year-old Daniel Williams, who finished second to Bol in a time of 1:45.49—an impressive feat for someone his age and a demonstration of his potential as an elite athlete. Bol, a former national record holder in the 800m, holds Daniel in high regard.

In the men’s 3000m final, Jude Thomas took home the national title with a winning time of 7:49.17, while Georgia Griffith captured the women’s national 3000m championship in 8:54.02.