DESLEIGH OWUSU

Written by: Bree Rizzo

Desleigh Owusu is a Sydney-based triple jumper who in 2025, became the first Australian woman to compete in the triple jump at an outdoor World Athletics Championships. Desleigh has always been an athlete who wants to be 1% better everyday, having set a personal best for all but one of her 10 years in athletics. For Desleigh as an LSKD athlete, 1% better isn’t always about PB’s. Some days it’s choosing recovery instead of pushing, showing up even when motivation is low, and backing herself when things feel uncertain.

“My sport has taught me that progress is rarely linear and small, intentional steps are what actually build me.” - Desleigh Owusu.

Desleigh’s journey into the world of athletics began from a young age, participating in Primary School and Little Athletics twice a week. By the time she was 15 years old, Desleigh was jumping 11.95m. Currently Desleigh’s PB is 13.86m, winning her the bronze medal at the 2025 World University Games in Germany. This incredible jump moved her to number 3 Australian of all-time. It was also the longest jump by an Australian for 11 years.

Looking back, Desleigh says this World Championship debut was her proudest moment in her athletics journey so far. Not just because she had reached the biggest milestone of her life, but being able to stand in that moment, grounded in who she is with confidence, particularly at a difficult time in her life when people were debating whether she was “Australian enough”.

Over the years, Desleigh has learned that belief is often the first barrier. Once you get past that, everything else becomes about work, patience, and staying committed when the outcome isn’t guaranteed. If her journey shows anything, it’s that you don’t need permission to dream big. You just need to be willing to see it through. You owe it to yourself.

Looking to the future, Desleigh wants to inspire young athletes to believe they can do anything they put their mind to.

“If you believe it, it doesn’t really matter who doesn’t. A lot of things are labelled ‘impossible’ or ‘unrealistic’ until someone actually does them. And then suddenly it was always achievable.” - Desleigh Owusu.