Australia’s fastest man, Lachlan “Lachie” Kennedy, has confirmed he will not compete at the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September, after suffering a stress fracture in his back.
The 21-year-old sprinter, who clocked a blistering 9.98 seconds earlier this year to become one of the country’s most exciting track and field prospects, revealed the devastating news in a social media post on Wednesday.
Kennedy described the withdrawal as one of the hardest decisions of his young career but emphasized that his health must come first.
“I’ve been pushing through pain for weeks, hoping it would settle, but the scans confirmed what I feared. I have a stress fracture in my back and competing in Tokyo is just not possible right now,” Kennedy wrote.
The injury is a significant setback, not only for Kennedy but also for Australia’s sprinting hopes. Many fans and pundits were eagerly anticipating a showdown between Kennedy and fellow rising star Gout Gout, who recently burst onto the international stage with record-breaking junior performances.
Kennedy’s breakthrough season had made him one of the most talked-about athletes in Australian athletics. His sub-10 second run earlier this year marked him as a serious contender on the global stage, and Tokyo was expected to be his chance to test himself against the world’s elite.
Athletics Australia released a statement offering full support to the young sprinter:
“Lachie has shown incredible talent and determination this season. While we share his disappointment, his long-term health and career come first. We look forward to seeing him back on the track when he is fully recovered.”
Kennedy’s absence leaves a noticeable gap in Australia’s sprint team, but he vowed this was not the end of his journey.
“I’ll be back stronger. This is just a chapter in the story, not the end,” he said.
The World Championships in Tokyo begin in September 2025, and while Kennedy will now watch from the sidelines, fans across Australia will be hoping this setback only fuels his determination for the road ahead—potentially leading into the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
