Teen dominates Mullewa Gift

Remember the name, Sasha Zhoya, you will hear more of him.

The 14-year-old won the 2016 LiveLighter Mullewa Gift on Saturday, rocketing home in the 120m handicap to win in 12.653 seconds.

He started from the 13.5m mark with only two-time winner Evan Jarvis (11.75m) behind him.

Zhoya finished powerfully to just pip Julia Phillips (12.729sec. off 22.5m) and Kiara Reddingius (12.741sec. off 21.5m) with a desperate lunge on the line.

His victory capped a great day. Zhoya also won the Jim Wilson 70m Handicap, where he surged past Reddingius and Phillips, and the 120m Novice holding off Caleb White and Imogen Spencer.

“I wasn’t quite sure if I’d won the Gift, it was a struggle and I was grunting with the effort of catching the leaders but I got there,” Zhoya said.

“I had a real good day and probably got a few PBs (personal bests) and can’t wait for the season to start and go on with it.

“I’m not quite sure what my future is, my body is still developing but yeah, I really want to make it in athletics.

“I have the All-Schools Championships coming soon and I’ll be aiming to keep getting better.

“I wasn’t expecting such success — I shocked myself in my first race (a heat of the 70m) with how well it went and after that I just wanted more and more.”

Zhoya, no doubt sated by his success, withdrew from the 550m Bendigo Bank Handicap, won in style by 16-year-old Ellie Nagle from a fast-closing Reddingius and Tegan Maffescioni.

Finals Results:

120m LiveLighter Mullewa Gift : 1 Sasha Zhoya; 2 Julia Phillips; 3 Kiara Reddingius. Other finalists: Evan Jarvis, Kobi Evans, Barrie Kernaghan, Ellie Nagle, Tegan Maffescioni.

70m Jim Wilson Sprint Handicap : 1 Sasha Zhoya; 2 Kiara Reddingius; 3 Julia Phillips.

120m LiveLighter Novice Handicap : 1 Sasha Zhoya; 2 Caleb White; 3 Imogen Spencer.

550m Bendigo Bank Handicap : 1 Ellie Nagle; 2 Kiara Reddingius; 3 Tegan Maffescioni.