Telaya Blacksmith
Athletics

I am a Warlpiri woman from Lajamanu in the Northern Territory. I balance football commitments with the Sydney Swans and athletics. At 14 I represented Australia at the 2022 Virtus Oceania Asia Games in Brisbane and then the 2023 Virtus Global Games in Vichy, France. In 2024 I became the 16th Indigenous Australian Paralympian when I competed in the T20 Women’s 400m final and the T20 Women’s Long Jump final. I currently hold the Australian under 15, under 17 and under 20 T20 records in the 100 m, 200 m and long jump. At the 2024 Paris Paralympics, I broke the Oceanic record on my way to finishing 8th in the final 400m final. In the long jump T20 I finished ninth. Being from a remote community I know how difficult it can be to find a pathway to compete on the world stage. I’d like to show other young Aboriginal kids that anything is possible if you work hard and to share my experience to hopefully encourage more kids to take up Athletics. I recently returned from a trip back home and could see the impact that my achievements last year has had on my community. I see this as a great way to continue to develop as an athlete, talking about my experiences but also learning from others who have gone before me will hopefully make me a better person on and off the track.