The amazing success contin­ued for local young athlete Kayedel Smith. After winning silver at the 2025 Australian Athletics Championships held in Perth, Kayedel was select­ed to represent Australia in the 2025 Pacific Mini Games, which was hosted in Palau. This was her international debut and she was the only Tas­manian chosen. Australia took a small team of under 20s with 24 countries competing.

She competed in the 100m and 200m sprints. In the first heat of the 100m qualifying, Kayedel came in second. She then backed up that early success in the semifinal, maintaining her second place.

In the finals, Kayedel was a little behind to start with but with a burst of speed overtook third and second place to win the gold!

Kayedel then had a rest day be­fore the 200m began. She won her heat and qualified second fastest overall for finals the following day. In the semifinal Kayedel switched off late to qualify third fastest going into the final. Kayedel started the final off strong and at the bend was sitting in second place. From there Fiji won gold, Pap­ua New Guinea took silver and Kayedel won bronze.

Congratulations Kayedel on all your achievements!