Layla Sharp (left) competing in the Women’s 200m.  Photo courtesy of David Tarbotton / Athletics NSW.

Layla Sharp (Cranebrook) has shone at the 2024 NSW Open and Youth Championships, which were held at the Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre (SOPAC) over 15th-17th March.

Layla won two gold medals and one silver medal from her three events, competing in the Open Para division.

She began her campaign on Friday, winning the 800 Open, then backed up on Sunday to win the 400m Open and finish third in the 200m Open.

Those results have qualified Layla to represent NSW at the Australian Open Championships, which will be held in Adelaide in April.

To put those results into perspective, to place either 1st, 2nd or 3rd in a NSW Opens Para event, after calculations, you need to be achieving above 90% for your classification. The athlete closest to their respective world record is declared the winner, followed by the two next best performers to that standard for the silver and bronze medals.

Layla was also one of four athletes at the Championships selected as Maple Ambassadors, who have teamed up with NSW Athletics for media commitments for the sport.