Sam Ruthe withdraws from U20 athletics World Champs

After withdrawing from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, teenage running sensation Sam Ruthe has now had to pull out of the World Athletics Under 20 Championships due to injury.

Ruthe opted out of the Games to give himself the best chance to recover for the U20's, but will instead now focus on a "comprehensive return-to-performance programme".

Ruthe suffered a stress fracture to his lower leg while playing football back in April.

"Sam is prioritising his long-term development and is excited to continue building a strong winter foundation over the coming months. He has also withdrawn from consideration for the World Athletics Road Running team scheduled for September, with his focus firmly on returning stronger and building throughout winter to the NZ Summer," Athletics New Zealand said in a statement.

In a video posted to his Youtube channel, 17-year-old Ruthe said he did not want to be underdone going into such a pinnacle event.

"For me it's really important turning up to a race and being in the best form because then mentally I'm there. It's so much more satisfying turning up to a race knowing that you're in good enough form to actually compete."

Ruthe stunned the athletics community with a series of blistering performances over the past year, knocking off numerous national and world age group records.

In January, he broke Sir John Walker's long-standing national mile record when he clocked 3min 48.88sec at an indoor meet in Boston, at the same time smashing the U18 world record for the mile.

While Ruthe was a notable omission, Monday's team announcement saw five athletes join the New Zealand team for Oregon.

Among them are reigning NZ U20 400m champion Mia de Jager, national U20 shotput champion Kate Hallie, steeplechase runner Caitlin Kirk, 400m runner Hunter Scott and Hamish Murray the men's 1500m.

New Zealand team for 2026 World Athletics Under 20 Championships

Mia de Jager - 400m

Kate Hallie - Shot Put and Discus

Caitlin Kirk - 3000m Steeplechase

Hunter Scott - 400m

Hamish Murray - 1500m

Kendra Scally-Tu'i - 100m and 200m

Madeleine Waddell - 400m

Boh Ritchie - 800m

Poppy Healy - 800m

Zara Pomfret - 1500m

Scarlett Robb - 1500m and 3000m

Nina Chalmers - 3000m

Bronwen Rees-Jones - 3000m Steeplechase

Karmen Maritz - Shot Put and Discus

Manaia Christiansen - Shot Put

Austin McDougall - Shot Put and Discus

Joe Martin - 800m

Conall McLean - 800m

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