Wollongbar teenager Ayla Kowalczyk has announced herself on the international stage, winning a bronze medal on her Commonwealth Games debut with a personal best leap in Glasgow.

The 15-year-old Ballina Allstars Athletics Club athlete produced the performance of her young career to claim bronze in the Women’s T38 long jump, soaring 4.71 metres – the longest jump of her life – against an experienced international field.

Her medal completed a remarkable journey from a serious ankle injury less than a year ago to standing on the Commonwealth Games podium as one of Australia’s youngest athletes.

Fellow Australian Layla Sharp claimed silver after setting a new Australian record of 5.06 metres, giving Australia a memorable one-two finish in the event.

For Kowalczyk, the result capped an extraordinary rise through the ranks of Australian para athletics.

The Wollongbar teenager first discovered athletics through school carnivals before joining Ballina Allstars Athletics Club at around nine years of age.

“I enjoyed the challenge of racing and field events, and I quickly became passionate about improving my performances and competing with other athletes,” she said before the Games.

She competed as an able-bodied athlete until being diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of 12. Rather than ending her sporting ambitions, the diagnosis opened the door to para athletics, where she made her T38 debut at just 14.

“While the transition presented new challenges and misconceptions, it also opened the door to incredible opportunities and allowed me to continue pursuing my passion for athletics at a higher level,” she said.

“I have since experienced significant success and progression. I would not have been able to achieve this without competing with my friends.”

Success has come quickly.

Before arriving in Glasgow, Kowalczyk had already broken the Australian Under-15 T38 records in the 100 metres (14.43 seconds) and long jump (4.18 metres), along with the Australian Under-17 T38 long jump record (4.55 metres).

Her biggest setback came in November last year when she fractured her ankle during the Commonwealth Games qualification period.

“The injury significantly impacted my training, but through hard work and determination I was able to return to competition and set a new personal best just a few months later,” she said.

Like many Northern Rivers athletes, she also had to contend with months of wet weather that left local training facilities, including Ballina’s long jump pit, unusable for extended periods.

Those challenges make her latest achievement all the more remarkable.

Her bronze medal jump of 4.71 metres eclipsed her previous best and delivered Australia’s newest Commonwealth Games medallist.

Behind much of her success has been her father and coach, Zenon Kowalczyk.

“He has supported me throughout every stage of my journey and has played a major role in shaping me into the athlete and person I am today,” Ayla said.

At just 15, Kowalczyk has already achieved what many athletes spend a lifetime chasing.

With a Commonwealth Games medal now around her neck, the Wollongbar teenager has confirmed her place among Australia’s brightest young para-athletics prospects.