Australia’s sprinting future just got a whole lot brighter.
At just 17 years of age, Leah O’Brien has stunned the athletics world by breaking a 57-year-old Australian record in the Under 18 Girls’ 100m final at the 2025 Australian Athletics Championships in Perth. The local star clocked a blistering 11.14 seconds (+1.7 wind) to eclipse the legendary Raelene Boyle’s long-standing 1968 mark of 11.20 seconds.
O’Brien’s performance not only marked a new national milestone but also firmly established her as one of the brightest young talents in global sprinting, entering the top 10 all-time global rankings for under-18 female sprinters.
Breaking More Than Just Records
The magnitude of O’Brien’s feat goes beyond numbers.
To put it into perspective: Boyle’s record had stood since she ran it at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics—a time before mobile phones, personal computers, or even colour television in many Australian homes. Now, more than half a century later, it’s been rewritten by a teenager still in high school.
“I honestly thought my race in the heats [11.46] was a really good time,” O’Brien said post-race. “I expected to maybe go 11.3 in the final but I’m so happy because I have been working really hard for that.”
“It’s around the time that the Open girls run, which is crazy to be running that still in high school.”
Eyeing the 2032 Brisbane Olympics
O’Brien’s rapid rise has fans and selectors already whispering Olympic potential—with the 2032 Brisbane Olympics firmly in her sights. Her time of 11.14 seconds places her:
- Ninth-fastest globally in under-18 girls’ history
- Equal-fourth fastest all-time by any Australian woman, matching Sally Pearson’s personal best (though Pearson focused on 100m hurdles)
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O’Brien also completed the sprint double, winning the Under 18 Girls 200m title earlier in the weekend with a time of 23.37 (-1.1), defeating strong competitors Thewbelle Philp (11.35 in the 100m) and Amaya Mearns (11.45).
A Role Model in the Making
Despite her breakthrough, O’Brien remains grounded and inspired by the stars currently dominating Australian sprinting.
“I really look up to the top girls in Australia like Torrie Lewis and Bree Masters,” she said. “I’m always watching their Instagram reels and looking at their photos, it just looks so great and inspirational.”
Lewis, the current national record holder at 11.10, set the benchmark just over a year ago and now may have a rising rival in O’Brien.
“I think I have really put my name out there,” O’Brien said with a smile. “Hopefully I can be in contention for teams in the future.”
A Weekend of Records and Rising Stars
O’Brien’s standout performance added to an already electric weekend of athletics in Perth. The championships also featured:
- Gout Gout, the world’s fastest 200m runner this year
- Lachlan Kennedy, a World Indoor Championships medallist
- Torrie Lewis, the fastest woman in Australian history
- Several new personal and national bests across multiple divisions
The track was tipped to be fast heading into the meet, and it did not disappoint. But even in a field brimming with talent, Leah O’Brien stole the show.
Family, Fans and the Power of Support
For O’Brien, the moment was made even more special by the presence of her loved ones.
“A lot of my family and friends are here,” she said. “This is definitely the most support I have ever had. It’s so great to experience this moment with the people I love and share the happiness.”
That emotional connection to the crowd, combined with years of hard work, set the stage for her record-breaking night.
Looking Ahead: The Open Division Awaits
O’Brien won’t have to wait long to test herself against the very best.
“I’m going to come back and run the Opens,” she said. “It’s a big step, but I feel ready to learn and grow. I want to keep improving, and that means racing the best.”
With her raw speed, poise under pressure, and fierce determination, Leah O’Brien is no longer just a name to watch for the future—she’s a name making headlines now.
As the countdown to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics continues, Australia may have found its next sprint queen—and her journey is just beginning.
