Claudia Hollingsworth

Biography

Claudia Hollingsworth's journey in athletics has been nothing short of meteoric. She first showed promise on the track when she ran a remarkable 2:08 for the 800m at just 15 years old. Her rapid progression saw her become the fastest Australian junior ever over both 800m and 1500m by the age of 19.

Claudia's passion for athletics began in primary school, where she competed in House Athletics and was a standout at fun runs. Her early promise saw her selected for the Pacific School Games and perform admirably at the National Primary Schools Cross Country. In Year 7 at Mentone Grammar, she met her coach, Craig Mottram, who played a pivotal role in nurturing her talent. Despite a few setbacks, like forgetting to register for state championships, Claudia continued to push forward.

The COVID pandemic might have disrupted her momentum, but it didn't dampen her spirit. Emerging from lockdown in late 2021, Claudia ran an incredible 2:01.60 for the 800m, placing her as the fourth fastest in Australian U20 history. In 2022, she made a significant mark by competing in the World U20 Championships and the senior world championships.

Claudia's post-high school period has been exceptional. The 2023/24 season saw her breaking new ground with six personal bests in six races across 800m, 1500m, and 3000m, setting National U20 records in the process. Capping the season, she claimed the National senior 800m title with a personal best of 1:58.40 and earned her spot on the Paris Olympic team. Her future in athletics looks incredibly bright, and she's poised for even greater achievements on the world stage.