SYDNEY, April 6, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – A fast-rising teen sensation has been
breaking junior athletics records this week, sparking a tug-of-war between
Australia and France to secure his services for the 2024 Paris Olympics, and
even the Tokyo Games next year.
Sasha Zhoya, 16, burst onto the scene at the Australian Athletics
Championships in Sydney, winning the under-20 pole vault with a height of
5.56 metres, just shy of the qualifying standard for the world championships.
No 16-year-old has ever jumped higher.
The Perth-born Zhoya also defied a headwind to clock 13.05 seconds and win
the under-18 110m hurdles — another under-16 world best.
That came a day after he clinched gold in the under-20 200m, finishing in
21.18, narrowly outside the Australian record.
John Steffenson, who won silver with Australia in the 4x400m relay at the
2004 Athens Olympics, said his potential was “out of this world”.
“Right now, whatever he wants to achieve he will achieve, it’s up to him.
There’s no ceiling,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper on Saturday.
While his exploits have athletics commentators in Australia fawning,
France has also taken notice with Zhoya eligible for both countries.
He was born and brought in Australia, but his mother is French and he has
until December to decide which country to represent at the 2020 world junior
championships — and potentially the Tokyo Olympics next year.
“They’re both offering some amazing things,” he told reporters of
Australia and France.
“I want to keep a clear head and leave that decision until later in the
year.
“Right now it’s stressful; I’m trying to put it in the back of my mind and
not think about it during comps. But it’s definitely popping into my head
every 30 seconds.”
Zhoya, who sports diamond studs in both ears, is fast-earning a reputation
for his swagger and readily admits his ambition is to become one the biggest
names in track and field — citing sprint king Usain Bolt as an inspiration.
“To be No.1 in the world out of everyone that does athletics, that’s the
dream. I want to show the world what I can do,” he told the West Australian
newspaper in December.
“Not everyone can be Usain Bolt, but I’m going to work my butt off to be
Usain Bolt as Sasha Zhoya.”