Jake Doran

Jake Doran

Jake Doran became Australia’s newest track sensation when he set the U20 100m national and Oceanian record in Jamasankoski, Finland in July 2018.

The feat was made more remarkable given the fact Doran had a terrible run of injuries in the 12 months preceding that run. Two lumbar stress fractures cruelled the Townsville sprinter’s 2017/18 domestic season and ruled him out of the 2018 Commonwealth Games trials and the Australian Junior National Championships.

Since then Jake has gone on to represent Australia on multiple other occasions and is now training to represent Australia at the 2022 World Athletics Track and Field Championships in Oregon and at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

What event will you be participating at the NQ Games?

I will be participating in the athletics at the NQ games? Particularly the 100m.

Have you ever competed in an NQ Games before?

I was involved in the lead up to unfortunately cancelled last games, but this will be my first competition at the NQ games!

How important is it for you to have local competition like this event?

Townsville is a perfect location for high quality sporting events and the infrastructure setup in the city is world class. It means the world to me for events like this to attract top notch athletes.

What’s your best piece of advice for athletes in your sport?

For athletes in all sports just keep persevering! Im at the level I am at because I never gave up and I never stopped believing. My love of sport never waivers.

Who has inspired you the most in your sport?

All the fantastic athletes that show up every day and work their hardest to get the best out of themselves. Ive been fortunate enough to meet lots of fantastic sports people and they all have their own inspiring stories.

What part of North Queensland are you from?

Ive lived in Townsville for my entire sporting career.

What’s your favourite thing to do in Townsville?

Magnetic Island is a terrific holiday destination. Fantastic natural beauty and tons to do its the perfect spot to be year round!

How did you start/get into this sport?

I kept getting faster and faster and kept winning races all the way up to the national level all of a sudden, was definitely not planned!

How long have you been playing/competing in this sport?

At a high level for 5 years now.

What are your sporting career goals?

To be the best athlete I can be and continue to get faster and faster.

The NQ games are a great event to meet and socialise with other athletes, have you made new friends through sport?

Most of my closest friends are from sport and I continue to make new friends because we are like minded!