No Australian has ever run faster.
Eddie Nketia has run a wind-assisted 9.74 seconds for the 100m at Big Ten Track and Field Championships in Lincoln, Nebraska. He won both the 100m and 200m at the NCAA event.
Sure, he had a gale force wind of +5.6m per second – which is nearly three times the permissible +2m/s wind to make it legal – but it was the second time in weeks he has smashed 10 seconds with a tailwind, and he broke his own record for the fastest Australian in all conditions. He ran 9.84 seconds with +2.8m/s wind last month.
The former Kiwi, who held a junior sprint record for the country and whose dad was a national sprint champion in New Zealand, grew up in Canberra. His switch to be able to compete for Australia was confirmed last year.
“It’s crazy, man, to run 9.74 even with the wind. It shows I’m getting better and can see the progress and the season isn’t over yet,” Nketia said after his run on Monday morning (AEST).
“I’m really hoping this season on the back of that to get a legal PB and show I can compete. The all-conditions record is nice, but I really want that actual record.”
“I think the future is bright, when I get out of college I’m looking forward to competing everywhere including hopefully Europe this year.”
Nketia then gusted to victory in the 200m in a time of 20.03 seconds, with a huge tailwind of +7.5m/s.
He will compete for Australia at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
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Michael Gleeson is an award-winning senior sports writer specialising in AFL and athletics.Connect via X or email.From our partners
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