Willi's Story
Willi Sawall migrated to Australia as a child and began athletics at 12 as a sprinter. He later moved into distance running and became the Victorian country marathon champion in 1970. Persistent leg injuries interrupted his running career, prompting Ballarat athlete Bruce McClure to suggest race walking as a way to retain fitness. Sawall took up the discipline in 1974 and quickly became one of Australia’s leading walkers, winning national titles and claiming silver in the 30-kilometre walk at the 1978 Commonwealth Games.
Sawall was 38 when he made his Olympic debut at Moscow 1980, placing eighth in the 50-kilometre walk in 4 hours, 8 minutes and 25 seconds. At Los Angeles 1984, he finished 16th in the 20-kilometre event but did not finish the 50-kilometre walk. Sawall also represented Australia at world championships and three Commonwealth Games before becoming a respected coach, including serving as Australia’s national race-walking coach.
