Sydney hurdler Nicholas Hough has installed himself as favourite for the 110 metre title at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) held in Singapore in August.

Competing on Saturday at the University of Queensland’s World Junior departure meet the 16-year-old clocked the fastest time in the world this year for an under-18 Youth athlete.

Hough, who in previous weeks had run 13.51 and a wind assisted 13.47, recorded a stunning 13.40 (0.8m/s) to take the world lead, ahead of Cuban Yordan L. O’Farril who had run 13.45 last April in San Salvador.

Hough’s time broke the NSW record of 13.62, held by Mitch Tysoe (Mingara), who was also in the race, himself running another World Junior departure time of 13.95. Hough was just outside the Australian record of 13.28.

Hough’s assault on the record books was not over. In the 100m, he sprang a surprise by defeating World Junior athlete Patrick Fakiye (Sutherland) 10.61 to 10.63 (0.8m/s). Hough’s time lowered the NSW record of 10.63, set by Chad Stephenson over 20 years ago.

To date 10 track and field athletes have been selected to represent Australia at the YOG from 14-26 August. Hough was the only one of these athletes competing in Brisbane however several have plans to travel to Queensland for pre-departure competition and pole vault sensation Liz Parnov will be completing her final preparation in Europe before flying to Singapore.

Athletics NSW and AOC