TEEN SENSATION WILLEM CURWOOD TARGETS 2032 OLYMPICS AFTER STUNNING CHICAGO MARATHON DEBUT
SCS Next Gen Award Recipient, 16-Year-Old Willem Curwood, Eyes Home Soil Olympics in 2032 After Impressive Chicago Marathon Debut
Willem Curwood's rise in the world of long-distance running has been nothing short of impressive. After just two years of experience, he made a big splash last year by breaking the record as the youngest ever to compete in the Sydney Half Marathon at the age of 15.
Building on that momentum, Curwood continued his dominance in the sport, recently clinching victory in the U18 division at the Noosa Half Marathon, where he achieved a remarkable personal best time of 86 minutes.
Securing a coveted spot in a World Major Marathon back in October, Willem expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to compete in Chicago, thanks to the American Youth Development squad, "It was such an unreal experience racing overseas in the States," he said. "Everything is a bit new and different… My debut marathon at a world-class stage event was huge, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity!"
It’s safe to say that this was by far the biggest event of Willem Curwood's young career, and he was eager to embrace every aspect of the experience. “It’s such a real test of mental strength and grit! The crowd of over 2 million supporters was incredible, and they really helped me dig deep in the final stretch of the race!”
Despite facing his fair share of injuries, Willem Curwood has shown incredible resilience and is grateful for the support he has received from coaches and doctors. He remains focused on his growth and draws inspiration from his sporting heroes to keep progression, “I look up to Aussie runners like Brentt Roberson and Liam Adams, they are a huge inspiration and show what my future hopefully looks like!”
The Sunshine Coast is already home to several world-class endurance events, so it comes as no surprise that excitement is building in the running community with the announcement of the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane. As a rising star of the sport, Curwood is thrilled to be part of the action. “The active lifestyle here and everything that comes with it fosters such a strong community,” he said. “We’re all rallying behind the 2032 Games, and we can’t wait to have the marathon course right here in our hometown on the coast!”
Over the next 1-2 years, Willem will be seeking out the best opportunities to advance his career and continue to focus on 5km and 10km races as he hones his endurance and speed. With the first two years his career serving as a powerful indicator, the future certainly looks bright for the young runner.
Keep up to date with Willems progress via his Instagram @willem.curwood!
Article written by Sophie McCulloch
Created December 5, 2024
Photos provided by @willem.curwood