Despite thinking he was &ldquo;done for&rdquo; in the closing stages of the U20 men&rsquo;s 10km at the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Antalya 24, <a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/australia/isaac-beacroft-14963962" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Isaac Beacroft</a> refused to give up.
Persevering to get gold on his international debut, the 16-year-old launched himself into the global spotlight in Turkiye. Now, with 100 days to go to the World Athletics U20 Championships Lima 24, Beacroft has another major contest on his radar.
The team event in Antalya was Beacroft&rsquo;s first ever competition outside of Australia and only his second ever race on the road. But judging it to perfection, <a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-race-walking-team-championshi/world-athletics-race-walking-team-championshi-7199325/news/report/antalya-24-u20-men-10km-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in a thrilling finish he reeled in race leader Shi Shengji of China to claim the crown</a> in an Oceanian U20 record of 39:56.
Known for his record-breaking exploits in Australia, Beacroft made further history by becoming the youngest ever winner of an U20 title at the event.
&ldquo;I'm just amazed, I can't believe it. I'm so happy with what I just did,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I thought I was done for when the Chinese athlete put about 50 metres or so on me and then I clawed it back. Someone got put in the penalty box and I just thought, &lsquo;okay, that&rsquo;s my opening here&rsquo;. I took on the race and timed it right.&rdquo;
He will hope to do the same when he returns to the track for the World U20 Championships in Peru, where he will contest the 10,000m race walk on 30 August.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve qualified for the World U20 Championships so hopefully I can get there and give that a good shake as well,&rdquo; added Beacroft, who will turn 17 on 18 July. &ldquo;For now, I&rsquo;ll live in the present, celebrate this, get back home to Australia and get among it with my mates, see my family and keep doing what I do, I guess.&rdquo;
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<h2>AFL&rsquo;s loss is athletics&rsquo; gain</h2>
What he has been doing has been working very well, so far. Beacroft began race walking as an under-nine, through a Little Athletics programme. His father, David, and some of his family had been race walkers as younger athletes and Beacroft junior found his own passion for the sport. Now David is his coach.
&ldquo;I found race walking great, so stuck at it, kept going and now I&rsquo;ve ended up here, which is just unreal,&rdquo; said the teenager.
Despite having broken numerous age group records, for a long time athletics was not his sole focus. Beacroft also played Australian rules football, training with the GWS Giants Academy.
Now concentrating on race walking, most of his training is done in Blacktown in New South Wales, where he is based. He also goes on training camps, one of those being at altitude in the Perisher Valley in January, when he spent time in the company of some of the nation&rsquo;s senior stars.
Maintaining Australia&rsquo;s legacy in the race walks is important to Beacroft and that made his experience in Antalya even more special.
&ldquo;We got bronze in the team (men&rsquo;s 10km team event in Antalya, alongside Riley Coughlan) and the last time we did that was Declan Tingay and Kyle Swan (in 2018), who we&rsquo;ve got a lot to do with,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re all on the team now and everyone gets along. That&rsquo;s another point of success for me &ndash; the team environment in Australia. We&rsquo;re all tightly knit and it&rsquo;s so good to follow in their footsteps and take it on &ndash; take on the world.&rdquo;
<h2>All steps lead to Lima</h2>
Beacroft&rsquo;s title win in Antalya has understandably provided great motivation, especially as he looks to take on the world again in August. He is also determined to do his family and support network proud.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s big motivation. The gold medal, I&rsquo;ve got plenty of people to thank for that,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I just really want to emphasise my support crew. I don&rsquo;t say it much, but I appreciate dad and mum and everyone in my group, my friends, my girlfriend &ndash; everyone. I couldn&rsquo;t do it without them.&rdquo;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6649e132876f1a5a2ba56d49.jpg" alt="Isaac Beacroft with his fellow World Race Walking Team Championships medallists Shi Shengji and Luo Jiawei" />
Isaac Beacroft with his fellow World Race Walking Team Championships medallists Shi Shengji and Luo Jiawei (&copy; Francesca Grana)
</div>
One of the team managers in Antalya was a certain Jared Tallent, the four-time Olympic and three-time world race walk medallist who also claimed six World Race Walking Cup medals and two Commonwealth Games medals during his highly successful career.
He is of course someone that Beacroft looks up to and having the chance to learn from such figures is not something the teenager takes for granted.
&ldquo;He shares his experiences and really helps me out,&rdquo; said Beacroft. &ldquo;And Brent Vallance, too. He is the head coach of Australia race walking and he has got some awesome advice.&rdquo;
And when someone like Tallent describes an athlete as a &ldquo;generational talent&rdquo;, it would be wise to take note.
&ldquo;I had the privilege of witnessing Isaac&rsquo;s incredible speed and potential at our national walks camp in January, where he impressed national lead coach Brent Vallance and me with his training,&rdquo; said Tallent. &ldquo;He challenged our best senior athletes, and we knew then that he would be a force to be reckoned with at Antalya, and therefore no surprise he won gold.
&ldquo;Isaac is a generational talent and a technically brilliant walker. It's been amazing to watch his progression over the past couple of years, as he's consistently set new records at every distance in Australia under the guidance of his coach, David Beacroft. He's a humble and supportive teammate, and it's great to see him and his fellow competitors working together towards success. Australia now has the deepest field of quality junior male race walkers we've ever had.
&ldquo;Australia has a rich history of success at the Olympics in race walking, with seven medals in the last 20 years,&rdquo; he added. &ldquo;However, we've gone 28 years without a world junior medal in the walk. With 100 days until Lima, Isaac is poised to break that drought as the favourite to win gold. I'll do everything I can to support athletes and coaches in Australia to achieve success and continue our proud tradition in race walking.&rdquo;
While Beacroft also hopes his journey will include success in Lima and beyond, he&rsquo;ll be making sure to relish it all. He even has advice for athletes looking to follow in his own footsteps.
&ldquo;If I could give any advice for anyone coming through &ndash; enjoy the sport, that&rsquo;s what gives you the success,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;A base platform of really loving what you do, and then all the success comes with it.&rdquo;
Jess Whittington for World Athletics

World Athletics U20 Championships

Despite thinking he was “done for” in the closing stages of the U20 men’s 10km at the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Antalya 24, Isaac Beacroft refused to give up

From Antalya to Lima for rising race walk star Beacroft

<ul>
<li>German Quiroz achieved the qualifying mark to represent Peru in the 110m hurdles at the World Athletics U20 Championships Lima 24</li>
<li>A two-time national U18 and U20 champion, the Chiclayo native won a silver medal at the recent Bolivarian Youth Games</li>
</ul>
Not since the days of brothers Jorge and Javier McFarlane has Peru seen a hurdler like German Quiroz, an 18-year-old from Chiclayo who has already secured his place to represent Peru in the upcoming World Athletics U20 Championships Lima 24 to be held at the Videna Athletic Stadium&nbsp;from 27-31 August.
At the recent Bolivarian Youth Games in Sucre, Bolivia, Quiroz ran 13.90 in the 110m hurdles, securing not only the silver medal but also the minimum mark required by World Athletics to qualify for the World Athletics U20 Championships.
"Not many expected me to run under 14 seconds, but it was something I saw as achievable due to all the work and planning done with my coach Oscar Valiente," says Quiroz, the double national U18 and U20 champion.
For someone who started athletics in 2016, when he joined the Chiclayo Athletics Club, the journey has not been easy. In fact, after winning bronze at the 2019 South American School Games, the pandemic appeared as an obstacle that, like many of his teammates on the national athletics team, he had to overcome.
"I was forced to train in parks to stay in shape. We only returned to track training in May 2021. That season I finished third in the U20 Nationals and first in the U18 Nationals at 15 years old," he recalls.
The national U18 and U20 titles in 2022, as well as his move to Lima in 2023 to study law at the University of Lima, strengthened his commitment to the sport. While he studies in the afternoons, he dedicates his mornings to training and perfecting his technique in athletics.
"I live alone in Lima; I came to study and to continue my growth in athletics. The sport provides discipline and order, which are key to achieving the goals one sets in life," adds Quiroz, who admires Jorge and Javier McFarlane, historic national hurdlers who shone in the first two decades of this century.
With a PB of 13.90, Quiroz is not far from the national U20 record (13.51) held by Jorge McFarlane, but he is aware that he must take it step by step and first focus on the major challenges of the season, such as the World Athletics U20 Championships and the South American U20 Athletics Championships, both to be held in Lima.
After recently winning the U20 national title, Quiroz stands out as one of Peru&rsquo;s top athletes for the South American Championships, which will take place from 12-14 July at Videna. Achieving a medal at the South American Championships and competing at his best in the World U20 Championships, an event that will feature more than 1500 athletes from around the world, are two goals he has highlighted for 2024.
"Why do I like hurdles? Maybe because they resemble life, which is full of obstacles. You always have to accelerate and go towards the next hurdle; some may go well, and others may not, but the important thing is not to stop and keep going," says Quiroz as he prepares for his upcoming races.

Not since the days of brothers Jorge and Javier McFarlane has Peru seen a hurdler like German Quiroz

Quiroz, the hurdler aiming for the World U20 Championships

The World Athletics Council has today (1) agreed on the host cities of two future World Athletics Series events at their meeting in Monaco.
The 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships will be held in Glasgow, United Kingdom, and the 2024 World Athletics U20 Championships will be held in Lima, Peru.
Glasgow successfully hosted the European Indoor Championships in 2019, and World Athletics will now take its 2024 championships to the same arena.
The First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, hailed the decision.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m delighted that Glasgow has been chosen to host the prestigious World Athletics Indoor Championships in 2024,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;This will underline Scotland&rsquo;s global reputation as the perfect stage for events and is welcome news as we look to recover from the pandemic.&rdquo;
Councillor David McDonald, Chair of Glasgow Life and Deputy Leader of Glasgow City Council, added: &ldquo;Today&rsquo;s announcement by World Athletics recognises Glasgow&rsquo;s global reputation as a first choice host for major sporting events and as a city with a track record of delivering world-class event experiences. It&rsquo;s a privilege to be bringing the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships to the Emirates Arena, which is widely regarded as one of the best athletics venues in the world.&rdquo;
Ian Beattie, Chair of UK Athletics, was also delighted that his federation will have the opportunity to host this event.
&ldquo;World Athletics has demonstrated their confidence in the UK to host global athletics championships once again, and history has shown time and time again our ability to deliver amazing events,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re thrilled with the outcome and look forward to a successful championships working alongside our partners that will truly give all athletes a fantastic stage upon which to perform.&rdquo;
The dates of the event have yet to be finalised, but are expected to be in March 2024.
&nbsp;
<h2>Peru to host first World Athletics Series event in 2024</h2>
Lima will become the first city in Peru to host a World Athletics Series event when it welcomes the world&rsquo;s best junior athletes in mid-2024.
The President of the Peruvian Athletics Federation, Javier Chirinos Hoyos, said this was a big moment for athletics in Peru.
&ldquo;We are very happy and proud to have been chosen for the first time ever, to host the 2024 World U20 Championships,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Rest assured that we will organise the best event of this category in history. We have the experience and a great team to give the best in Lima in 2024. Thanks all and we will be waiting with open arms for all of you in Lima."
The general director of the Local Organising Committee, Luis Condeso Ocampo, added: &ldquo;We are very happy and grateful to World Athletics for trusting us to host the World Athletics U20 Championships in 2024. We assume this designation with great responsibility, and be sure that the Peruvian Athletics Federation, with all the support of the Peruvian Sports Institute, the Municipality of Lima, and all sportspeople in Peru, we will make the World U20 Championships in Lima an unforgettable experience for all participants.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
<h2>Russian Taskforce recommends an increase to 20 ANAs for 2022</h2>
The Council approved amendments to the Authorised Neutral Athlete (ANA) programme for 2022 on the recommendation of the Russian Taskforce.
In 2022, no more than twenty (20) athletes (in total, not per competition) will be granted eligibility to compete (as ANAs) in the following international competitions:
(a) the World Race Walking Team Championship to be held in Muscat, OMA, in March 2022;
(b) the World Athletics Indoor Championships to be held in Belgrade, SRB, in March 2022;
(c) the World Athletics Championships to be held in Oregon, USA, in July 2022;
(d) the European Championships to be held in Munich in August 2022;
(e) the World Half Marathon Championships to be held in Yanghzou, CHN, in November 2022;
(f) the European Cross Country Championships to be held in Turin in December 2022.
RusAF may choose which athletes will make up these 20 ANAs out of those who have applied for and been granted ANA status, but it must choose athletes in the International Registered Testing Pool in priority to any other athletes. No changes may be made to the 20 designated ANAs, for any reason, once they have been nominated by RusAF.
In addition, the ANA quota of 20 will be automatically reduced by 25% for each separate failure to comply with the ANA requirements (whether of additional testing or otherwise).
There is no cap on the number of Russian athletes who may compete (if invited, and if they have been granted ANA status) in international competitions that are not listed above. Therefore, no cap applies (for example) to the World Athletics U20 Championships to be held in Cali, COL, in August 2022.
<a href="https://www.worldathletics.org/about-iaaf/documents/member-federation-resource-centre#collapserussian-reinstatement-conditions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">In his report to the Council</a>, the Taskforce chair Rune Andersen said there was &ldquo;guarded optimism&rdquo; about RusAF&rsquo;s progress towards meeting the conditions for reinstatement to membership of World Athletics.
The full Taskforce Report can be found <a href="https://worldathletics.org/about-iaaf/documents/member-federation-resource-centre#collapserussian-reinstatement-conditions" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://worldathletics.org/about-iaaf/documents/member-federation-resource-centre#collapserussian-reinstatement-conditions">here</a>.
World Athletics

World Athletics Council agrees on host cities of two future World Athletics Series events 

World Athletics Series events awarded to Glasgow and Lima

Lima will become the first city in Peru to host a World Athletics Series event when it holds the World Athletics U20 Championships Lima 24 between 27-31 August.
&nbsp;
The president of the Peruvian Athletics Federation, Javier Chirinos Hoyos, has expressed how this is a big moment for athletics in Peru.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;We are very happy and proud to have been chosen for the first time ever, to host the 2024 World U20 Championships,&rdquo; he said.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;Rest assured that we will organise the best event of this category in history. We have the experience and a great team to give the best in Lima in 2024. Thanks all and we will be waiting with open arms for all of you in Lima."
&nbsp;
The general director of the Local Organising Committee, Luis Condeso Ocampo, added: &ldquo;We are very happy and grateful to World Athletics for trusting us to host the World Athletics U20 Championships in 2024.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;We assume this designation with great responsibility, and be sure that the Peruvian Athletics Federation, with all the support of the Peruvian Sports Institute, the Municipality of Lima, and all sportspeople in Peru, we will make the World U20 Championships in Lima an unforgettable experience for all participants.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
Check back for news and updates!

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