Commonwealth Countdown: Josh Azzopardi in profile

27 July 2022

Commonwealth Countdown: Josh Azzopardi in profile

After a serious toe injury in late 2021, Josh Azzopardi nearly abandoned his 2022 season, but fortunately he and coach Rob Marks persevered going on to runs PBs and be selected in the Australian teams for the Oceania Championships, World University Games and Commonwealth Games. His journey in sport, from age five, has also included a dream to play NRL, encouraged by attending a major Rugby League school, and a Rugby 7s offers ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.

Josh Azzopardi joined Camden Little Athletics Centre in the U6s as a bit of fun with some school mates. Around the same age, he started playing AFL, switching to rugby league and Oztag in 2014 when he was 15. He would continue to play league over winter, Oztag on Monday nights and compete in Little Athletics in summer. 
“My mind was always on league though, I played winger and I always had a dream of playing in the NRL,” no surprise as he was attending a rugby league school, St Gregory’s College.

“My mindset switched in late 2016/early 2017 when I ran my first sub 11 (10.78) at the Little Athletics Zone. Rob (his coach) was stoked for me as training was very inconsistent. Then he won the Little Athletics state title in the 100 and ran 10.81.”
His coach then spoke to Josh about focusing on the World Juniors the next year. “I didn't really know what world juniors was until I did some research into it and saw that it was in Finland and it was an event for the best under 20 athletes in the world.”

Over the summer of 2017/18 he would run under the World Junior standard (10.50) with a 2.1m/s illegal wind, and despite hamstring issues would managed third at Nationals and a place on the relay team for the World Juniors. In the leadup in Europe he ran 10.41 in the 100m and was added to the individual 100m.

“Juniors was amazing but I was dirty as I missed the 100m semi by 0.01 seconds and in the relay we didn't get the baton around so that was tough.”
Josh preserved in the transition years, particularly showing some glimpses in 2021, ahead of his brilliant 2022 campaign. 
“Making that step into senior teams was a long time coming from 2018 – 2021, but perseverance and determination is what has got me where I am today.”

But it was not smooth sailing, and he nearly abandoned his 2022 season. 
“As we came out of lockdown in late 2021, I had an accident doing a stair session where I tripped and kicked my big toe and bent the joint back on itself causing a significant injury that put me in a moon boot for 8 weeks and on the bike and in the pool for 13 weeks before I was able to run again. I made my comeback to racing after long discussions with my coach and physios about whether the 2021/2022 season was even worth trying.”

After a tough start, running just 11.05, a week later he progressed slowly with 10.57 and felt positive about the direction he was going. 
“Over the next weeks and months, there were PB's, scalps, and Australian medals. Coming second in the 100m final at nationals was a highlight of the season alongside being called into the Oceania team for the individual 100 where I then ran another PB of 10.27.”

He was named in the World University Games and Commonwealth Games teams.
“I wouldn't have even though in my wildest dreams that coming off an injury that threw me around a fair bit would lead me to where I am today.”

Hero: Canadian sprinter Andre de Grasse. In Australia Alex Hartmann has been a great role model as I have been on relay camps with him and his leadership and professionalism is unmatched…Advice to your young self: To just be patient, the work is going to be done and the results will eventually come. Every single session that is completed is one step closer to your dream. Also to have fun with the process…Education: completed my Diploma in Applied Fitness and have moved on and now in my second year in a Bachelor of Health Science in Exercise at ACPE…Other Sports: Australian team for Oztag World Cup U21, won gold…Interesting facts: has Maltese heritage, received an Australian Rugby 7's offer in 2019.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW
Image: Josh Azzopardi (courtesy of Fred Etter)