FORMER Old Bar athlete Elana Withnall, 20, has won gold representing Australia at the Oceania Athletics Championships in Papeete, Tahiti.
Her final score of 4349 points was her best since recovering from illness and injuries.
Elana was pleased to have achieved her goal of winning a medal while representing Australia internationally for the first time. She won all of the seven events involved in the heptathlon (100m hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200m, long jump, javelin and 800m) over two days of competition, despite extremely hot and humid conditions at the track.
Elana also won a silver medal, running as part of the open women's 4x400m Australian relay team on the day after she completed the heptathlon.
While there, she had another fantastic experience. She was also flag bearer for Australia during the opening ceremony of the championships.
Ela na wants to thank everyone who helped make Tahiti possible. Elana said she feels very blessed to have such a wonderful support team of family, friends and all who contributed to helping her raise funds.
"Their ongoing support and encouragement is much appreciated."
