WAGGA sprint talent Godfrey Okerenyang has targeted the world under-20 championships as his next major goal after smashing his rivals at last week's NSW All Schools Championships despite carrying a torn achilles.
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The 17-year-old has carried the issue for a couple of months but still clocked 10.98 seconds at Sydney Olympic Park.
Okerenyang, whose parents are Ugandan, needs to eclipse 10.58 seconds to qualify for July's world under-20 championships in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.
He also indicated he will devote more attention to long jumping after enlisting the services of Temora-based coach and former top level jumper Greg Winkle.
Okerenyang, who studies at The Riverina Anglican College, leapt a personal best of 7.17m to easily claim his second All Schools gold.
"It (achilles) is an overuse injury," he said.
"I wasn't going to race the night before, but I saw the physio the day of competition and he said it's fine.
"I'm trying to get the world championships qualifier, I think I can do it."
"I've got a new long jump coach too and I'll start putting more effort into that, it's probably my favourite event.
"The 100 is a big event but long jump is more relaxed and the aspects of it help you with running. The power and speed in your run up work well together with sprinting."
Godfrey's brother Gerard also has his eyes on world championships qualification after blitzing the field in the 15 years boys hammer throw with a throw of 49.67m.
The effort was 3.63m ahead of his nearest rival and he has only recently taken up the discipline after a strong background in discus and shot put.
"It's only my fourth or fifth hammer throw event so I'm still getting used to it," he said.
"I'm just hoping to win nationals (at Perth) in December and get over the 60 metre mark. I'll keep training and try and make world juniors as well."
Wagga High student Kippy Langat overcame the pain of a torn hamstring to win the 15 years boys triple jump with a leap of 13.30m
His parents are of Kenyan descent, giving him motivation to book an under-20s world championship spot.
"I injured myself during the warm up but I was pretty happy with the jump, considering I was hurt," he said.
"I found out afterwards it was a torn hamstring. It was extremely hard, I was limping through my run up and the leap was so painful, but I got through.
"Almost all my family hasn't seen me compete, it (competing in Kenya) would be a dream."
Wagga High's Leila Wadley also won bronze in the 15 years girls long jump.
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