Athletics West: Sasha Zhoya blitzes field with a Paris 2024 marker on return to Perth

All eyes were always going to be on Sasha Zhoya when he returned to Perth to begin his final Olympic preparations.

And when all eyes are on Sasha, he tends to deliver.

WATCH THE RACE IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE

The 21-year-old returned to the WA Athletics Centre for the first time in five years at the weekend for the Athletics West Track & Field State Championships.

He lined up for the 110m hurdles final with an air of confidence and proceeded to blitz the field, recording the second fastest time in the world for the event this year - 13.45sec into a -2.1 headwind. And that was on a wet track.

“It was a tricky race today; the weather wasn’t on our side, but you’ve got to learn how to run in all conditions,” Zhoya told Athletics West.

“It was a good entry and I had fun so that was the main thing, I stayed healthy and there were no injuries so I’m stoked and I’m very happy I could have a season opener in Perth.”

The hurdles prodigy made a name for himself in Western Australia before ultimately choosing to represent France, the country of his mother’s birth, on the international stage - with Paris 2024 a major consideration.

Leading into the event, he told The West Australian he was nervous ahead of his return to Perth, but had been met with nothing but love.

“I feel I made the right choice because my goal is to be the best athlete that’s ever lived and if you want to be the best, you’ve got to surround yourself with people who are better than you,” Zhoya said.

“Coming back. I was nervous the people around me in Australia would be a bit angry that I’m coming back here, but it’s all been love.”

Rising star Olivia Dodds taking out the 100m and 200m double in the under-20s and Melissa Foster setting a World Masters Record in the women’s open long jump in other notable performances across the weekend.

You can watch it all on demand at Streamer.