Uwezo Lubenda Crowned North Queensland Junior Sportstar of the Year for the Second Year Running
Team Townsville athlete Uwezo Lubenda has once again taken centre stage, winning the North Queensland Junior Sportstar of the Year Award for the second consecutive year following an extraordinary 12 months on the track.
Uwezo’s remarkable journey is a testament to his resilience, determination and commitment to his sport. After fleeing the war in the Congo at just four years old, Uwezo and his family found refuge in Australia, where he has embraced every opportunity with both hands and continued to make his mark on Australian athletics.
The past 12 months have been nothing short of exceptional for the rising sprint star. Uwezo claimed gold in the Under 17 Men’s 100m at the Australian All Schools Championships before stepping up to the Under 20 age group at the Australian Track & Field Championships, where he secured third place in the men’s 100m.
His success continued on the international stage, reaching the semi-finals of the men’s 100m at the World Athletics Under 20 Championships. Uwezo was also part of the Australian mixed 4x100m relay team that set a world record in the heats, further cementing his place among Australia’s most exciting young athletics talents.
Adding to an already impressive year, Uwezo recorded a new personal best of 10.33 seconds in the 100m, highlighting the incredible progress he continues to make as an athlete.
Beyond the medals, records and personal bests, Uwezo’s back-to-back North Queensland Junior Sportstar of the Year wins also highlight the impact of community support in helping young athletes reach their potential.
Reflecting on the significance of last year’s award, Uwezo shared his gratitude for the support that helped make his international campaign possible.
“The trip to America to represent our Country at World U20 Juniors this year was in part only possible because of the generous prize I received at this function (North Queensland Sportstar Awards) last year. I would love to sincerely thank North Queensland Sports Foundation, Aussie Athlete Fund, Townsville City Council and the partners to Team Townsville for last year’s $10,000 scholarship.”
The $10,000 scholarship provided Uwezo with valuable support towards representing Australia on the world stage, demonstrating the difference that investment in local talent can make. His achievements are a proud moment for Townsville and a reminder of what can be accomplished when dedication meets opportunity.
Team Townsville congratulates Uwezo on this outstanding achievement and looks forward to following his continued success as he pursues his ambitions in athletics.
Fellow Team Townsville athlete Alyssa Mathieu was named Runner-Up in the Junior Sportstar of the Year category following her back-to-back national championship victories at the 2025/26 Sabot Nationals. Alyssa’s achievement is historic, making her just the third athlete to win the title twice, only the second to secure consecutive victories, and the first female athlete ever to accomplish the back-to-back feat.
