Canowindra's Emily Thomas has won back-to-back gold medals in the NSW Junior State Championships in Sydney, followed by the NSW Open and HART Little Athletics Championships.
Thomas first showcased her talent at the NSW Junior State Championships in Sydney, bringing home gold in the under-20 women’s hammer throw.
Competing at the Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre, Thomas delivered a personal-best throw of 51.36m, surpassing her previous record by two metres and cementing her place as one of NSW’s top junior throwers.
For Thomas, this championship marked the final time she would compete in the junior division, making the victory even more special.
“You never expect a gold medal, because anything can happen on the day,” Thomas said.
Latest Stories
“But I was confident in my abilities."
"I knew I had it in me to throw well, and that’s what I did.”
On the weekend she returned to the ground for the open championships, claiming gold in the women's open hammer throw with a 53.67m throw.
As she transitions into the senior ranks, Thomas is preparing for the new challenges that lie ahead.
With university, work, and intensive training all demanding her time, she knows that balance will be key to maintaining her performance at an elite level.
“As I’m getting older and advancing further, I haven’t faced any major hurdles yet, but I know they’re coming,” she said.
“I’ll have to balance university, work, and training as my workload increases, but I’m determined to stay motivated and work through these challenges.”
With her junior career behind her, Thomas has set her sights on the Australian National Championships and the Uni National Championships later this year.
Her confidence is high after already achieving one of her biggest goals.
“I set a goal earlier in the year to throw 50 metres, and now that I’ve done that, I feel even more motivated to push further,” Thomas said.
“My next big goal is to win the national championships, and I’ll be working hard to make that happen.”
Beyond the national stage, Thomas is also aiming for international selection, hoping to represent Australia at the Pacific Mini Games.
“It would be an incredible honour to wear the green and gold and compete internationally,” she said.
“That’s definitely something I’m working towards this year.”
With a gold medal in hand, a new personal best, and ambitious goals for the future, Thomas is proving herself as a rising star in Australian athletics.
Her journey from a junior champion to a national and international contender is just beginning.
