James Kiely already has his eyes set on a higher spot on the podium at next year’s Australian Track and Field Championships after medalling at this year’s event in Sydney.

The 17-year-old South West Academy of Sport athlete claimed bronze in the U20 400m hurdles at the competition in Sydney, which wrapped up earlier this month.

“I was so excited and overwhelmed with being on the national stage for athletics, and then medalling after only a few months of training in hurdles,” Kiely said.

“And then I also had the sense that I can go faster, I can go better – why not this next year? Next year I can do better.”

The event, which was held at Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre between March 26 and April 3, attracted some of Australia’s brightest athletic talent.

Kiely said the atmosphere of being on the national stage helped to push him to a top three finish.

“It’s absolutely crazy, just having so many people watching you and feeling like, this is it, this is what you’ve worked hard towards, this is everything right now,” Kiely said.

“This is where you’ve got to give it.”

While the mutli-talented athlete is already thinking of next year’s Australian Track and Field Championships, he is currently showcasing his athletic talent at the 2022 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships on the Gold Coast.

Kiely said he worked hard at both his sports because he wanted to do well at them.

“I train for athletics and that helps me with surf life saving as well,” Kiely said.