IPSWICH Athletics Club has produced a standout performance at the 2026 Australian Athletics Championships, with its athletes claiming an impressive medal tally and showcasing the club’s growing strength on the national stage.
The championships were held across two venues, beginning in Sydney from April 9-12 for U20 Heptathlon and Open athletes, before shifting to Brisbane from April 15-20 for junior competitors from U14 to U20.
Across both meets, the Ipswich-based club’s athletes rose to the challenge, finishing with three gold, five silver and eight bronze medals in a campaign defined not only by podium finishes, but by determination, personal bests and breakthrough performances.
A wave of emerging talent underpinned Ipswich’s success, with several junior athletes delivering podium finishes and personal best performances.
Mila Josipovic claimed bronze in the U15 shot put with a personal best throw of 12.33m, while Ruby Bohen secured silver in the U17 javelin with a 47.10m effort.
Leah Leembruggen also impressed, taking silver in the U17 100m hurdles in a personal best 14.12 seconds.
In the field events, Hayley Windolf (U17 shot put) and Addison Hayne (U17 long jump) each earned bronze, while Jenali Bolden added another podium finish with bronze in the U18 discus. Allira Takau also secured bronze in the U20 shot put.
Middle-distance standout Sasha Josipovic produced a strong double performance, taking bronze in the 2000m steeplechase and finishing fourth in the 1500m with a personal best time, while Mia Kertesz recorded a fourth-place finish in the T/F40 U17 discus.
Ipswich’s medal haul was driven by several dominant individual displays.
Hudson Severinsen was among the meet’s most versatile performers, winning gold in the U15 hammer throw with a 59.94m effort and adding two silver medals in the shot put and discus, the latter a personal best.
Jonte Tukuafu secured gold in the U15 shot put with a personal best throw of 16.72m, while high jumper Emry Pittman cleared 2.08m to take gold in the U18 division. Combined events athlete Cooper Friend delivered a strong all-round performance to claim silver in the heptathlon with a personal best points tally of 3883.
On the track, Hayden White claimed bronze in the T/F37 Open 400m, recording a personal best.
The results reinforce Ipswich Athletics Club’s reputation as a breeding ground for emerging talent, with a strong pipeline of athletes progressing through the junior ranks.
