Sam Ruthe Headlines 12-Strong Initial Selections For 2026 World U20 Championships

Athletics New Zealand is pleased to announce an initial team of 12 for the 2026 World Athletics Under-20 Championships to be held in Eugene, Oregon, from the 5th to the 9th of August 2026.

The 2026 Championships return to Hayward Field, Eugene, for the first time since 2014. The 2014 Championships saw Eliza McCartney break onto the global stage for the first time, earning bronze in the women’s pole vault. Since the 2014 championships, Hayward Field has been completely rebuilt and in 2022, hosted the World Athletics Championships.

The World Athletics U20 Championships is a key stepping stone to senior representation and a significant opportunity for Kiwi athletes to compete on the world stage.

Middle-distance phenom Sam Ruthe earns selection for his first international team in the men’s 1500m. Ruthe’s enjoyed a headline-grabbing past year, culminating in breaking John Walker’s NZ mile record, running a world Under-18 best of 3:48.88 in Boston. Ruthe currently sits as the number one-ranked athlete for 2026 in the U20 men’s 1500m.

800m specialist Boh Ritchie, alongside 400m star Madeleine Waddell, return for their second world U20 Championships, having both competed at the 2024 edition in Lima, Peru. Ritchie recently made her senior debut, competing in the 800m at the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Torun, Poland. Waddell earns selection in the women’s 400m off the back of her national title-winning run in Auckland earlier this month. Waddell retained her senior national title from 2024, holding off Jordyn Blake in the closing stages of the race. Both women, coincidentally, are products of St. Peter’s, Cambridge.

Ritchie and Waddell are both the NZ U20 record holders in their respective events, with both bringing strong experience and talent to the startline in Eugene.

New Zealand’s strong history in throws continues, as a trio of throwers are selected in today’s initial selection announcement. Karmen Maritz will don the black singlet in the women’s shot put and discus, competing in the throws double, while on the men’s side, Austin McDougal will also double up in the men’s shot put and discus. Mania Christiansen completes the throws trio with his selection in the men’s shot put.

George Wylie is set to join teammate Sam Ruthe in the men’s 1500m. Wylie will make his U20 championships debut after missing selection in 2024. Wylie ran the qualification time for the 2024 championships in the 1500m alongside seven others and was named as reserve for the championships.

New Zealand’s distance stocks continue to look strong, with steeplechaser Bronwyn Rees-Jones set to compete in the women’s 3000m Steeplechase. Scarlett Robb lines up in both the women’s 1500m and 3000m. Completing a talented contingent of middle-distance athletes are Joe Martin and Connall McClean, who will both contest the men’s 800m.

Rising sprint star Kendra Scally-Tu’i completes the team in the initial selection announcement, earning her place in Eugene in the women’s 100m and 200m.

The NZ Team for the 2026 World Athletics Championships.

Kendra Scally-Tu’i – 100m & 200m
Madeleine Waddell – 400m Coach: Sonia Waddell
Boh Ritchie – 800m Coach: Angela Russek
Scarlett Robb – 1500m & 3000m Coach: Graeme Holden
Bronwen Rees-Jones – 3000m Steeplechase Coach: Steve Rees-Jones
Karmen Maritz – Shot Put & Discus Coach: Mike Schofield
Sam Ruthe – 1500m Coach: Craig Kirkwood
Joe Martin – 800m Coach: Ian Moini
George Wyllie – 1500m Coach: Craig Kirkwood
Connall McClean – 800m Coach: Hamish Meacham
Manaia Christiansen – Shot Put Coach: John Eden
Austin McDougal – Shot Put & Discus Coach: Mike Schofield

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