New Zealand’s thirteen-strong team takes to the track in Poland this Friday, as they kick off the Kiwi campaign for the 2026 World Indoor Championships. The kiwi team features a trio of former medallists alongside six debutants, which promises to be an exciting lineup for Kiwi sports fans.

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.

Competition Schedule
View the competition schedule and results here.

Where
Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena, Torun, Poland
20-22 March 2026

All times are local Polish time (CET, UTC+1). New Zealand time is 12 hours ahead.

Zoe Hobbs – Women’s 60m

New Zealand’s fastest woman arrives at her third World Indoors as one of the genuine contenders in a sprint event stacked with world-class talent. It was on this same track in Torun that Hobbs announced herself to the world in 2024, running 7.06 in the Glasgow final to break the New Zealand and Oceanian indoor record and finish fourth, just hundredths behind a medal. That time of 7.06 remains the NZ and Oceanian indoor record.

The Competition
The field is led by Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia, the Olympic 100m champion, and Italy’s Zaynab Dosso, who share the 2026 world lead at 6.99. Dosso has won all four finals she has entered this season, making her the standout form athlete. Luxembourg’s Patrizia van der Weken, the reigning world indoor bronze medallist, has run 7.01 this season. Poland’s home favourite Ewa Swoboda and Britain’s Amy Hunt (7.04) and Dina Asher-Smith add further depth to a final where every lane is dangerous.

NZ Indoor Record
NZ Indoor Record: 7.06 – Zoe Hobbs, Glasgow GBR, 2 March 2024

Heats: Saturday 21 March | Semi-finals and Final: Saturday evening

Tiaan Whelpton – Men’s 60m

Whelpton returns to the World Indoors stage having reached the semi-finals at Nanjing last year, building a growing reputation as one of New Zealand’s most exciting sprinters. He enters Torun having equalled his NZ resident’s record over 100m at the Sir Graeme Douglas International with 10.10, and with his best indoor form behind him.

The Competition
The men’s 60m is one of the marquee events of the championships. Jordan Anthony of the United States leads the season rankings, with Olympic 100m silver medallist Kishane Thompson of Jamaica and defending world indoor champion Jeremiah Azu of Wales among the favourites. Brazil’s Eric Cardosa has also run 6.49 this season. Whelpton’s aim will be to match or better his semi-final appearance from Nanjing.

NZ Record
NZ Indoor Record (Men’s 60m): 6.59 – Gus Nketia, Barcelona ESP, 10 March 1995

Heats: Friday 20 March | Semi-finals and Final: Friday evening

Alison Andrews-Paul – Women’s 800m

Andrews-Paul returns for her second World Indoors, bringing valuable championship experience into the toughest women’s 800m field in recent memory. A smart, tactical runner, she will look to do one better than her first appearance and advance to the semi-finals.

The Competition
This event is defined by Keely Hodgkinson, the Olympic champion and world record holder, who ran a stunning 1:54.87 in Lievin in February to shatter a 24-year-old world indoor record. Switzerland’s Audrey Werro, who has run 1:57.27 this season, is among her closest challengers. Last year’s silver medallist Nigist Getachew of Ethiopia and Poland’s European indoor champion Anna Wielgosz round out a deep field.

NZ Record

NZ Indoor Record (Women’s 800m): 2:00.36 – Toni Hodgkinson, Paris FRA, 9 March 1997

Heats: Friday 20 March | Semi-finals: Saturday | Final: Sunday 22 March

Boh Ritchie – Women’s 800m

At just 19 years old, Boh Ritchie makes her senior championship debut in Poland, joining Andrews-Paul to give New Zealand a historic double entry in the women’s 800m. Coached by Ryan Foster, Ritchie is one of the most exciting young middle-distance prospects in the country. She will be using this experience to build her championship credentials against the world’s best.

The Competition
Hodgkinson appears near-unbeatable following her world record in Lievin. Behind her, the final is wide open among a quality field including Getachew, Werro and Wielgosz. The depth in this event means every heat will be highly competitive.

NZ Record
NZ Indoor Record (Women’s 800m): 2:00.36 – Toni Hodgkinson, Paris FRA, 9 March 1997

Heats: Friday 20 March | Semi-finals: Saturday | Final: Sunday 22 March

James Harding – Men’s 800m

James Harding makes his senior championship debut, having produced one of the strongest New Zealand indoor middle-distance seasons in years. His 1:46.44 in Fayetteville in February set a new NZ indoor record and placed him among the contenders at this level. Harding enters the championships off the back of a high-performing 5th place finish at the NCAA D1 indoor championships in the 800m.

The Competition
Belgium’s Eliott Crestan, who has twice broken 1:44 this season and sits fourth on the world all-time list with 1:43.83, is the standout favourite. America’s 17-year-old Cooper Lutkenhaus ran a world U20 short track record of 1:44.03, while Poland’s Maciej Wyderka, who improved the national record to 1:44.07, will have fierce home support. The depth of this field is remarkable, with multiple men having broken 1:44.5 this season.

NZ Record

NZ Indoor Record (Men’s 800m): 1:46.44 – James Harding, Fayetteville USA, 20 February 2026

Heats: Friday 20 March | Semi-finals: Saturday | Final: Sunday 22 March

Thomas Cowan – Men’s 800m

Cowan joins Harding as a senior championship debutant, with the pair having traded the NZ indoor 800m record back and forth through an exceptional indoor season season. The 20-year-old, coached by Jon Molz, arrives in Poland having trained and competed at the highest level in the United States and brings youth and ambition to one of the toughest events on the programme.

The Competition
The men’s 800m field is led by Crestan, Lutkenhaus and Wyderka. The two New Zealand debutants will look to run smart, controlled heats to advance through to the semi-final. For both Harding and Cowan to represent New Zealand in a World Championship 800m together marks a significant moment for New Zealand middle-distance running.

NZ Record
NZ Indoor Record (Men’s 800m): 1:46.44 – James Harding, Fayetteville USA, 20 February 2026

Heats: Friday 20 March | Semi-finals: Saturday | Final: Sunday 22 March

Annalies Kalma – Women’s 400m

Kalma heads to Poland as the current holder of the NZ indoor record in the women’s 400m, having lowered her indoor mark to 51.81 in Reno in February. The 22-year-old, coached by Shantel Twiggs, is one of the most versatile sprinters in New Zealand and will be eager to test her 400m form at the highest indoor stage.

The Competition
The women’s 400m field is wide open following the withdrawal of 2025 world indoor champion Amber Anning and world leader Ella Onojuvwevwo. Norway’s Henriette Jaeger leads the season list with 50.62, while Dutch athlete Lieke Klaver, winner of the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Tour, brings a short track personal best of 50.10. Slovakia’s Emma Zapletalova and Poland’s home athlete Natalia Bukowiecka, who ran 50.97 at this very venue last month, are also strong contenders.

NZ Record
NZ Indoor Record (Women’s 400m): 51.81 – Annalies Kalma, Reno USA, 14 February 2026

Heats: Friday 20 March | Semi-finals: Friday evening | Final: Saturday 21 March

Lex Revell-Lewis – Men’s 400m

Revell-Lewis arrives in Poland as the holder of the NZ outdoor 400m record of 45.87, set in Adelaide last week. Revell-Lewis took 0.01s off of his own mark set in 2025, to produce two sub 46s performances in a row. He heads to his first World Indoors alongside Kalma as part of a New Zealand 400m squad that reflects the depth the country is building in the one-lap event. The indoor 400m, where athletes merge to lane one after approximately 170 metres, is among the most tactical and physically demanding events on the indoor programme.

The Competition
The men’s 400m features two of the fastest short track 400m runners in history. USA’s Khaleb McRae, whose 44.52 is pending ratification as a world record, is the form athlete. Canada’s Christopher Morales Williams has a personal best of 44.49 that tops the all-time list. Hungary’s Attila Molnar, the European indoor record holder with 45.01, and 2022 world indoor champion Jereem Richards of Trinidad and Tobago add further depth to what promises to be an extraordinary final.

NZ Record

NZ Indoor Record (Men’s 400m): 47.62 – Bailey Stewart, Birmingham USA, 28 February 2016

Heats: Friday 20 March | Semi-finals: Friday evening | Final: Saturday 21 March

Geordie Beamish – Men’s 3000m

Beamish arrives in Torun as the most decorated New Zealander on the team. He is the world indoor 1500m champion from Glasgow 2024 and, more recently, became New Zealand’s first-ever world outdoor track champion when he won the 3000m steeplechase at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.

The Competition

The men’s 3000m may be the most star-studded event of the entire championships. The field includes all three Olympic 1500m medallists: Cole Hocker (USA, gold), Josh Kerr (Great Britain, silver) and Yared Nuguse (USA, bronze). Beamish’s trademark finishing kick has won him major titles before in exactly this type of tactical championship race.

NZ Record

NZ Indoor Record (Men’s 3000m): 7:36.22 – George Beamish, New York USA, 11 February 2023

Final: Saturday evening 21 March

Tom Walsh – Men’s Shot Put

Walsh arrives as the defending world indoor champion and the most decorated shot putter in World Indoors history, with six consecutive podium finishes at this event. He won the Nanjing title last year with a first-round throw of 21.65m, and returns to Poland with the experience and competitive temperament that has defined one of the greatest careers in New Zealand athletics. The NZ indoor record of 22.31m stands in his name, set in Birmingham in 2018 and equalled in Belgrade in 2022.

The Competition

Walsh faces arguably his stiffest world indoor challenge. Italy’s Leonardo Fabbri leads the 2026 world rankings, while Americans Roger Steen and Jordan Geist have both broken the 22-metre barrier this season. Walsh’s ability to peak on competition day in major championship settings is unmatched in this event, and he will be a podium contender regardless of the rankings heading in.

NZ Record

NZ Indoor Record (Men’s Shot Put): 22.31m – Tom Walsh, Birmingham GBR, 3 March 2018 (equalled Belgrade SRB, 19 March 2022)

Final: Sunday 22 March

Tapenisa Havea – Women’s Shot Put

Havea makes her senior championship debut in the women’s shot put, capping a remarkable rise through the ranks. Competing for the University of Arizona, she previously finished fourth in the shot put and seventh in the discus at the 2022 World Athletics U20 Championships, and now steps up to the absolute pinnacle of the indoor season. The NZ indoor record in her event stands at 20.98m, set by Valerie Adams in Zurich in 2013.

The Competition
The women’s shot put is among the deepest events at these championships. Reigning world and European champion Jessica Schilder of the Netherlands is the 2026 world No.1. American Chase Jackson, two-time and reigning world indoor champion Sarah Mitton of Canada, and Olympic champion Yemisi Ogunleye of Germany make this one of the most competitive fields in the event’s history. There is even speculation that Valerie Adams’ championship record of 20.67m, set in Sopot in 2014, could be under threat. Havea will focus on delivering her best series and gaining invaluable experience at the highest level.

NZ Record

NZ Indoor Record (Women’s Shot Put): 20.98m – Valerie Adams, Zurich SUI, 28 August 2013

Final: Friday 20 March evening

Eliza McCartney – Women’s Pole Vault

McCartney enters Torun as the top-ranked athlete in the women’s pole vault entry list, having cleared 4.81m to win the New Zealand national title in Auckland earlier this month. That height is higher than the 4.80m that won her indoor silver at the 2024 World Indoors in Glasgow. After a difficult 2025 season affected by injury, McCartney has bounced back emphatically and arrives in Poland as a genuine gold medal contender. The NZ indoor record of 4.84m is held in her own name, set in Lievin, France, in February 2024.

The Competition

Few events at these championships look as open as the women’s pole vault, with just five centimetres separating the leading entrants on their season’s bests. France’s Marie-Julie Bonnin is the reigning world indoor champion and will defend her title. Great Britain’s Molly Caudery, who beat McCartney to gold in Glasgow, has cleared 4.65m this season, while Slovenia’s Tina Sutej, a twice world indoor medallist, cleared 4.80m to win in Metz last month.

NZ Record

NZ Indoor Record (Women’s Pole Vault): 4.84m – Eliza McCartney, Lievin FRA, 10 February 2024

Final: Sunday 22 March

Imogen Ayris – Women’s Pole Vault

Ayris completes a remarkable New Zealand double in the women’s pole vault, joining McCartney in a final that will see two Kiwis vault side by side on the world stage. She has had a strong indoor campaign highlighted by a 4.76m personal best and consistent clearances at 4.70m, and arrives in Poland having trained alongside McCartney under the guidance of coach Scott Simpson. The presence of two New Zealanders in the final reflects the extraordinary depth New Zealand has developed in this event.

The Competition

The depth in this field means Ayris will need to be at her best to challenge for a top placing. The leading contenders include Bonnin, Caudery and Sutej, all of whom have cleared 4.65m or higher this season. Ayris will aim to build on her personal best and make her mark in what promises to be an exceptional final.

NZ Record

NZ Indoor Record (Women’s Pole Vault): 4.84m – Eliza McCartney, Lievin FRA, 10 February 2024

Final: Sunday 22 March