Tasmanian Sam Walker smashed a personal best on the track Monday night in the Commonwealth Games T38 100m final.
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The 15-year-old finished a brave sixth behind Australian winner Evan O’Hanlon.
The Canberra cerebral palsy sprinter split the field by the halfway mark to easily win in 11.09, finishing a clear 0.24 seconds ahead of South African Dyan Buis.
Walker got off to a good start out of the blocks to cross the line in a time of 11.80 in front of a packed stadium on the Gold Coast.
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He shaved 0.29 seconds off his PB from last year and also broke the national under-18 record in the process.
Aged just 15 years and 166 days old, the Hobart talent, who only started athletics four years earlier, was not only the youngest male in the final but the youngest also to represent Australia in Commonwealth Games history.
“I’m super proud of that,” Walker said after the accomplishment. “It was intense. An amazing experience. Very nerve-wracking.
“When I walked out, my heart really started pumping.
“I ran a PB, so the crowd must have helped me.
“I’m super happy with that. It’s my first time getting to the 11-second mark.”
Coached by Scott Goldsmith at the Hobart Domain, the Dominic College student was inspired by support.
“My mum, my nan and my uncle are here,” Walker said, “and I’ve got everyone back in Tassie cheering me on.”
Walker will aim next for the junior world para championships in Switzerland.