Australian Para Athletics World Champs Squad Named
A World champion, veterans and debutants are part of the Australian squad.
MEDIA RELEASE:
With a powerful mix of debutants and Paralympic champions, Australia’s largest Para-athletics team in a quarter of a century is bound for New Delhi, setting the stage for a new chapter on the road to Brisbane 2032.
Announced today by Australian Athletics at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre in Brisbane, the 51-strong squad is the second-biggest team Australia has set to a World Para Athletics Championships and the largest team since the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, marking a major step forward in the momentum of Australian Para-athletics.
Among the team are 11 Paralympic medallists including reigning world and Paralympic champions Vanessa Low (Long Jump T61) and James Turner (100m and 400m T36), who bring world-class pedigree to the squad.
The decorated duo are joined by 24 debutants, including the youngest team member at 14-years-old Lexie Brown (100m and 200m T47) and Queenslander Nathan Jason (100m T12), a former Para-swimmer who has already represented Australia on the international stage.
The second of two 14-year-olds on the team Makayla Elcoate (100m and Long Jump T44) will make her international debut in India’s capital while taking a break from her Year 9 studies to get a taste of top level competition having only began her journey in the sport three years ago.
“I started by competing in my school athletics carnival in Year 6, the year after having my leg lengthening surgery, and I did pretty good,” Elcoate said.
“To progress to competing in Perth at the Open Australian Athletics Championships this year, racing against Paralympians and World Championships athletes was the greatest honour. Topping it off with the bronze medal in the long jump was incredible.”
Australian Athletics General Manager – High Performance, Andrew Faichney said the team represents a new chapter for Para-athletics.
“It’s not by chance that this is our biggest Para-athletics team since Sydney 2000. Increased funding, better pathways and a high performance system that backs our athletes is creating real impact, not just in numbers, but in culture, excellence and ambition,” Faichney said.
“To see this kind of depth, with rising stars standing shoulder-to-shoulder with global champions, tell us that Australian Para-athletics is not only back on the rise, but we’re setting a course to be a Para-athletics powerhouse once again.
“I’d like to congratulate each of the 51 members of the team, and we look forward to each of them contributing to Australia’s rich history in Para-athletics on the world stage.”
Australian Athletics CEO Simon Hollingsworth echoed Faichney’s comments stating:
“I’m really looking forward to being there to watch this team take to the world stage in New Delhi,” said Australian Athletics CEO Simon Hollingsworth.
“With so much young talent and experienced leadership in the mix, I have no doubt they’ll represent Australia with pride and a strong sense of what’s possible, not just in 2025, but as we build towards LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032.”
The 2025 World Para Athletics Championships will take place in New Delhi, India from Friday, 26 September to Sunday, 5 October.
Females on the Australian Team for the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi, India:
100m – Telaya Blacksmith (NSW, T20), Lexie Brown (NSW, T47, Debut), Rhiannon Clarke (WA, T38), Abby Craswell (QLD, T36), Makayla Elcoate (QLD, Debut, T44), Coco Espie (NSW, T34, Debut), Summer Giddings (NSW, T35, Debut), Mali Lovell (NSW, T36), Niamh Mac Alasdair (WA, T37, Debut), Akeesha Snowden (SA, T37, Debut), Kirra Wright (VIC, T36, Debut)
200m – Briseis Brittain (NT, T38, Debut), Brown, Clarke, Craswell, Lovell, Layla Sharp (NSW, T38 Debut), Snowden
400m – Brittain, Clarke, Espie, Snowden
800m – Bailey, Espie, McCracken, Samuel Rizzo (VIC, T54)
1500m – Annabelle Colman (VIC, T20)
Discus Throw – Ella Hose (VIC, F37)
Javelin Throw – Dayna Crees (VIC, F34)
Long Jump – Blacksmith, Elcoate, Vanessa Low (ACT, T61), Sarah Walsh (NSW, T64), Mac Alasdair
Shot Put – Hose, Rosemary Little (NSW, F32)