Rising star Olufemi Komolafe ready to shake up Stawell field

Date: 27th March 2026

At just 21, Adelaide-based sprinter Olufemi ‘Femi’ Komolafe is quickly emerging as an exciting prospect on the Australian pro running circuit. With a strong mix of raw speed, resilience through injury, and elite-level ambition, he is shaping up as a serious contender for this year’s Powercor Stawell Gift.

Balancing the demands of a medical degree with elite sprint training, Femi shares his thoughts ahead of Stawell on his form, inspiration, and the unique challenge of taking on global superstar Christian Coleman.

How do you feel about Stawell this year and what do you think your chances are?
I’m super excited about it, it would be amazing to follow in the footsteps of my teammate John Evans and win another one for our squad. I’d say I’m pretty confident in my ability to get it done, as long as I can stay healthy.

What do you think is so special about Stawell and what would it be like to win the Stawell Gift?
I think it’s so special because it’s such a historic race, 144 years is longer than even the Olympic Games. Winning a race like this and getting in the history books would be huge.

Tell us about yourself.
I was born in Broken Hill, NSW, in 2004; I’m 21 years old. My parents came to Australia from Nigeria in 2002. I moved to Adelaide in 2015 and went to Prince Alfred College. I’m a 4th year medical student at Adelaide University. I’m a big music fan, I play the saxophone, piano and bass guitar. I grew up playing soccer as my main sport, and I still play a little bit in the sprinting off-season.

How has your athletic season been so far, and what are the highlights of your career?
My season has been a bit of a bumpy road, after winning at Warrnambool I pulled my hamstring, and then in January I started getting shin splints. It meant I didn’t get to compete nearly as much as I would have hoped, but thankfully I’m pretty much injury free right now and feeling ready. My athletic career started after I graduated high school in 2022. I would say the highlight so far would be my win at the Loxton Gift 120m in 2024.

Tell us about your coach and training squad?
My coach is Paul Young. He kind of scouted me out when I was in year 11 after I raced at state all-schools without a coach, it might have been one of the luckiest things to have happened to me. He’s a coach with so much knowledge and experience in the sport. He’s won the Stawell Gift himself and trained under the legendary Jim Bradley who had numerous athletes win majors. He’s incredibly passionate and I wouldn’t be anywhere close to the athlete I am right now without his support.

My team, the Young Guns Track Squad, is full of quality, dedicated athletes. Training with them always brings the best out of me. I’m grateful to every single one of them, particularly the seniors like John, Jesse and Corey who have given me so much guidance over the years.

What will it be like running against Christian Coleman? Do you think you can give him a run for his money?!
It’ll be surreal, that’s for sure. He’s one of my biggest idols in sprinting. I remember watching from home as he won the 100m at the World Champs in Doha 2019 and being incredibly inspired. I’ve got a video of his block start in slow mo saved on my laptop to study, so it’ll be great to see it up close. That being said, if I’m in the shape I hope I’m in, I believe I can beat him off my mark.

What tips for Christian would you offer about pro running on grass? What should he focus on?
Haha, I’m sure there isn’t a single bit of sprinting advice I could give an athlete of his calibre. I suppose he’s not used to starting behind his opponents though, so I’d say keep a cool head and be confident he can catch them if he maintains his form.

Main image: Neil Jameson, Jamesons Photography

Below: Jenny Poole, SAAL

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