early life

This is not a born to run story – in primary school Jai usually came 3rd or 4th in races. He did show a good ability for sport though and he loved cricket and AFL, which do involve running, but he didn't start to excel at specifically sprinting until he was 14.

Jai loves his city and region of Toowoomba. His schools Rangeville Primary School, Centenary Heights High School and Toowoomba Grammar School have all provided a broad range of opportunities for him. Representing the Darling Downs at cricket and AFL were fun times for him where he made great friends and loved the team environment. 

running career

The turning point for Jai came when he competed at the age of 14 years in the Darling Downs Regional 100m (winning sliver) and 200m (winning bronze). After the encouragement of doing so well at this event Jai found his love for sprinting and his determination to be the best he could be. He always keeps his spirits up through the hard work, spending countless hours at training for the short payoffs at competitions. He works hard to avoid injury, knowing even a small injury or a rainy track can completely derail a race.

Jai has been selected as a member of the Men’s 4x100m relay squad preparing for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. If they qualify for the World Championships Jai will attend training relay camps but unfortunately he can’t go to Birmingham as it clashes with the World Juniors event in Columbia. He’s off to run in that event in August for the 100m and the 4x100m relay. 

There is an exciting future ahead as Jai transitions from Under 20’s to Open Men’s. Now the Under 20 Australian 100m champion, the transition to open mens is an expensive hurdle. Jai needs to train and attend various camps and events which takes him away from work opportunities, making financing his running even more difficult. This means he needs the Toowoomba community to support his dream coming true.

personal life

Off the track Jai is studying a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ). He also works as a trainer at Willows Gym and does sprint coaching at the Toowoomba Grammar School and Elite Performance Unit. All this along with his own training with coach Jackie Gallagher.

If Jai has a spare minute he enjoys relaxing with family and friends. He likes to play the odd game of backyard cricket and hang out with his pets Sally the dog and Oscar the cat.