Gosnells and Districts Little Athletics Centre athlete Tory D’Alessio has returned from Malaysia with two medals after representing Western Australia at the 2026 Selangor Junior Athletics Championships.
Tory was selected in the Western Australian team for the 2026 Junior International Tour, which gives young athletes the opportunity to gain international representative experience while competing against athletes from across the region.
The Selangor Junior Athletics Championships were held from July 17 to 19 as part of the tour. Tory competed in the Under 21 10km racewalk, tackling the distance for the first time against older and more experienced athletes.
She finished third to win the bronze medal.
She also won a silver medal as part of the WA 4x400m relay team.
Tory said she was “very happy and excited” when she found out she had been selected to represent Western Australia.
“It shows that all my hard work and training has paid off,” she said.
“It is also a privilege to represent WA and compete in another country in the sport that I love to do.”
Supported by the WA Government through the Department of Cultural Industries, Tourism and Sport, the Junior International Tour gives young athletes the chance to gain international experience while building confidence, cultural awareness, travel skills and team-building skills.
Tory has been involved in athletics since the Under 6s and said she first became interested in the sport because she loved running and enjoyed trying different events.
She also dreamed of one day representing WA.
“I had heard about all these older kids getting to compete at nationals and international competitions, so it was a dream to be able to compete at nationals and at international competitions,” she said.
Tory said the trip to Malaysia was one she would always remember.
“My favourite memories and highlights of the trip were definitely meeting so many new people and making so many friends with girls and boys from all over WA and Malaysia,” she said.
“One special thing is that in my main event I was versing girls up to six years older than me, so it was an amazing experience but to also win a medal.
“Hopefully more athletes from Gosnells Districts can qualify for this trip next year and get to see what it is all about.”
Tory credited her family, coaches Joe and Gabby from Maddington Little Athletics Club, and past Maddington athletes for helping her reach the international stage.
“My family have definitely supported me along my athletics journey,” she said.
“My amazing coaches Joe and Gabby from Maddington Little Athletics Club and the past Maddington athletes come along nearly every day of the week, even when it is super-hot or bucketing down with rain.”
As she prepares for the summer athletics season, Tory is looking forward to taking on another role after being selected as one of Maddington Little Athletics Club’s captains.
“I’m super pumped and excited to be a captain, and also to help, coach and look after the younger athletes,” she said.
“I will try to be an amazing role model to all the younger athletes.”
She encouraged other young athletes to keep working towards their goals.
“You can achieve anything you put your mind to,” she said.
“By training hard and believing in yourself, anything can happen. Just put in the effort and you can do anything.
“You will always have at least one bad day but you can turn it around into something amazing.”
