Milly Sharpe (15) represented Central Queensland at last weekend’s Queensland Athletics 10,000m U20 Race Walking State Championships taking silver in Brisbane.
Since the age of five, Milly has been a member of Gladstone Athletics Club with a natural knack for putting her best foot forward in athletics.
Upon being introduced to race-walking about five years ago this provided the momentum to pursue her passion.
Milly’s father, Peter Sharpe said he is a proud dad of two amazing athletes, Milly and his son Ethan who was named Young Sportsperson of the Year at the Australia Day awards in January this year.
“It’s awesome to see her achieving what they want to achieve,” Sharpe said.
“Gymnastics is his world and race-walking is hers.
“It shows that regional kids with limited facilities can still compete at the highest level when they receive the right support.”
Through the thousands of kilometres that her family has driven across the country for races, Milly continues to do what she loves.
On Sunday 11 February, Milly also competed in Adelaide at the Australian and Oceania Road Walking Championships in the U18 5km girl’s race.
It was a strong field containing previous national medal winners from QLD, SA, NSW and WA.
After a quick opening 1km lap which saw four girls neck and neck, Milly pushed on and opened a gap of 200m by the end of lap 3.
Milly continued to walk strongly over the last two laps in warming conditions to become Australian National Champion and Oceania Champion, winning by 33 seconds in a personal best time of 26 minutes 53 seconds.
Milly trains in Brisbane with her coach Shane Pearson less than once a month but trains with her father and by herself six days a week to maintain her winning streak.
After winning numerous state race walking titles over 1500m, 3000m and 5000m, Sharpe continues to pursue her goals with a spring in her step.
Milly thanks her family for their unwavering support as well as Gladstone Athletics Club and her coach without whom her progression would not be possible.
