When Tayissa Buchanan lined up to contest the 800 metres final at the NSW Junior Championships in February, she was simply hoping to run a personal best.
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Even she was shocked by what happened next.
Not only did Buchanan run a PB, she ran a seven second PB and won the race, taking home the NSW title in the process.
"The race that surprised me the most was state juniors," Buchanan said. "I ran a seven-second PB in the 800, so was very shocked. It was my first time running under 2:20.
"It was a really unbelievable experience winning the race. It was my first time winning a gold at a state event, so it was very exciting."
The victory at the state championships was a sign of things to come for Buchanan, with the 13-year-old collecting a gold and a bronze medal at the NSW Little Athletics Championships in the 800m and 400m events.
She then went on to secure a silver and bronze medal at the Australian Junior Championships and two silver medals at the Australian Little Athletics Championships.
The silver medal in the 800m at the Australian Little Athletics Athletics saw Buchanan run another PB and narrowly miss gold in a timed finals format.
The Championships were held in Hobart and she said it was great to meet so many fellow athletes.
"The highlights of the season were probably the two medals at junior nationals in the 800m and 400m, because that was just my second athletics nationals, so I wasn't really expecting to medal.
"The Little Athletics Championships in Hobart were also amazing. It was a great atmosphere, like a mini Olympics for athletics. I got to know all my teammates really well and could warm into the event around other athletes just like me."
Buchanan is hopeful that with further training throughout the next few moths, she will be able to follow up her track season with a successful cross country season and another prosperous summer next year.
"I want to keep working to try and get more medals and hopefully make nationals again this year."
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Cameron Mee
Sports reporter at the Canberra Times
Sports reporter at the Canberra Times
