New Zealand's fastest man Eddie Osei-Nketia switches allegiance to Australia
Australia's sprinting stocks received a major boost after Eddie Osei-Nketia, who is New Zealand's record holder in the 100 and 200 metres, switched allegiances.
The 24-year-old, who competes on the US collegiate level for the University of Southern California, told The Associated Press he wants to help Australia earn medals at top competitions, including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
His addition brings more depth to Australia's emerging group of young sprinters, including Gout Gout and Lachlan Kennedy.
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"My goal with Australia is to break both the 100-metre and 200-metre record and also help the relay team to not just make the finals — also to earn a medal in the big stage, and with the team I believe it's possible," he said in a written statement.
Edward Osei-Nketia. Getty Images for World Athletics
"Not just LA, the Commonwealth Games, world championships and the world relay, any chance we get."
Osei-Nketia ran a 10.08 at the 2022 world championships in Oregon, breaking the record held by his father, Gus.
Gout's legal personal best is 10.17 seconds, but he's also run 9.99 seconds twice.
Gout, who turns 18 this month, also owns the Australian 200m record with a time of 20.02 seconds, which stood for 56 years.
Osei-Nketia set the New Zealand record in the 200m when he ran a 20.24 in May for USC in an NCAA West preliminary rounds meet in Texas.
"The 10.08-second man joins the nation's rising sprinting stocks. This is going to be fun," Australian Athletics said in a social media post.
"He has been lighting up Australian tracks for years but Edward Osei-Nketia is now officially eligible to represent Australia on the world stage, successfully completing his transfer of allegiance from New Zealand."
He added: "I am 100 percent with Australia from here on out."
Gout Gout celebrates winning silver in the 200m at the 2024 world under-20 championships in Peru. Andrew Hildtich/Australian Athletics
After not being selected by New Zealand for the Tokyo Olympics, the Auckland-born Osei-Nketia tried American football.
He signed to play wide receiver for Hawaii in 2023 before returning to the track for USC.
His brother Augustine Nketia Junior is also a sprinter who has switched his allegiance to Australia.
The Australian 100m record is still held by Patrick Johnson, who ran a time of 9.93 seconds in Japan in 2003.
Lachlan Kennedy became just the second Australian to run sub-10 seconds, when he clocked 9.98 seconds at a meet in Kenya earlier this year.
Gout is planning to compete at both the Commonwealth Games and World Junior Athletics Championships next year.
- with AP
