A trio of World Indoor medallists headline the 13‑strong New Zealand team named for the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Poland.

Reigning world indoor champion Tom Walsh is joined by history‑maker Geordie Beamish, who recently became New Zealand’s first‑ever world champion on the track after winning the 3000m steeplechase at the 2025 World Athletics Championships.

Geordie Beamish in Glasgow after winning the 2024 World Indoor Championships 1500m

Olympic medallist Eliza McCartney also returns to global indoor competition after collecting silver at the 2024 World Indoors in Glasgow. She heads to Poland in strong form, having won the New Zealand title with a 4.81m clearance, higher than the 4.80m that won her indoor silver last year.

Zoe Hobbs at the 2025 World Indoor Championships

Sprint star Zoe Hobbs is set for another tilt at the women’s 60m after an unforgettable 2024 World Indoors, where she twice broke the Oceania record and finished fourth in a blistering 7.06.

Tiaan Whelpton joins her in the 60m after another season of consistent progress, including equalling his NZ resident’s record over the 100m at the 2026 Sir Graeme Douglas International of 10.10s.

In the pole vault, Imogen Ayris completes the Kiwi duo and travels to Poland following a strong indoor campaign highlighted by a 4.76m personal best and consistent clearances at 4.70m.

Middle‑distance athlete Alison Andrews‑Paul returns for her second World Indoors in the women’s 800m. She is joined by debutants Boh Ritchie (women’s 800m), James Harding (men’s 800m), and Thomas Cowan (men’s 800m). Harding and Cowan have traded the New Zealand indoor record this season, with Harding currently holding the mark at 1:46.44, set in February in Fayetteville, AR, USA.


Left to right: Boh Ritchie, Annalies Kalma, James Harding

The 400m squad features national record holder Lex Revell‑Lewis and New Zealand indoor record holder Annalies Kalma, who further sharpened her form by lowering her indoor mark to 51.81 this season. The indoor 400m, with athletes merging to lane one after approximately 170 metres, is one of the most tactical and unpredictable events on the programme.

Thrower Tapenisa Havea rounds out the team, earning her senior championship debut in the women’s shot put. Competing for the University of Arizona, Havea previously finished fourth in the shot put and seventh in the discus at the 2022 World Athletics U20 Championships.

New Zealand’s depth in the women’s pole vault is underscored by Olivia McTaggart also achieving the automatic qualifying standard of 4.70m. She has been named as a non‑travelling reserve for Toruń.

New Zealand Team – 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships

Men
Tom Walsh Shot Put (Coach: Hayden Hall)
Geordie Beamish 3000m (Coach: Dathan Ritzenhein)
Tiaan Whelpton 60m (Coach: Angus Ross)
James Harding 800m (Coach: Jerry Schumacher)
Thomas Cowan 800m (Coach: Jon Molz)
Lex Revell‑Lewis 400m (Coach: Nuree Greenhalgh)

Women
Zoe Hobbs 60m (Coach: James Mortimer)
Eliza McCartney Pole Vault (Coach: Scott Simpson)
Imogen Ayris Pole Vault (Coach: Scott Simpson)
Alison Andrews‑Paul 800m (Coach: Brit Townsend)
Boh Ritchie 800m (Coach: Ryan Foster)
Annalies Kalma 400m (Coach: Shantel Twiggs)
Tapenisa Havea Shot Put (Coach: Lucais Mackay)

Reserve (Non‑travelling)
Olivia McTaggart Pole Vault (Coach: Kate Rooney, Scott Simpson)

Event information

Dates: 20–22 March 2026
Location: Kujawsko‑Pomorska Arena, Toruń, Poland
Event: World Athletics Indoor Championships

How to follow

New Zealand fans can watch live and free on World Athletics+ from 20–22 March (free with account registration).

Follow Athletics New Zealand on social media for results, updates, and behind‑the‑scenes coverage.

Additional Athletes
The following athletes were eligible for selection but have elected to focus on preparations for the 2026 international season: Sam Ruthe, Sam Tanner, James Preston, Hamish Kerr, Maddi Wesche, Rosa Twyford and Jacko Gill.