Joel Marsh, Isabella Schramm and AJ Donald win Oceania BMX Racing titles in New Zealand

Australia's AJ Donald has had the perfect start to year, clinching the Junior Men Oceania BMX Racing title in New Plymouth, New Zealand.

The 17-year-old from Hawkesbury Hornets BMX Club was among the Australian riders to be crowned Oceania champion this year, along with Joel Marsh and Isabella Schramm who took out the U23 men's and women's titles.

In the elite categories, the Aussies were bested by their trans-Tasman rivals and had to settle for the minor placings.

At just 18, reigning junior world champion Teya Rufus finished with bronze in the elite women's class behind New Zealand's Leila Walker and Megan Williams.

While in the elite men's category NZ's Bennett Greenough emerged on top to claim his maiden Oceania title.

The winner was decided on points across the three motos, with Greenough winning all three to finish on three points, well clear of silver medallist Australia's Jesse Asmus on eight, who improved on bronze from a year ago and 2024 under-23 champion Oliver Moran on nine.

In the junior men, Donald was dominant throughout Sunday's competition, going undefeated in his motos and finals to stand on top of the podium ahead of fellow Australians Preston Murray, and Cameron Gatt.

"I felt strong and confident going into the weekend's racing and was really happy with my results to start of the season," Donald said.

"I aimed to do better every race which made me confident going into the final."

In the U23 Men's it was an Aussie onslaught with Joel Marsh leading the charge to the clinch the Oceania title.

The 2022 junior champion improved throughout the day with two seconds and a third in the motos, second in the semifinal before winning the final in a photo finish.

Silver went to Jordan Callum (AUS) with reigning junior world champion Joshua Jolly (Australia) completing the podium.

Australia's Isabella Schramm went one better than a year ago to claim the women’s under 23 title ahead of Brooke Penny (New Zealand) and fellow Aussie Mia Webster.

NZ's Lily Greenough, a junior world championship medallist last year, took out the junior women’s title ahead of Australia's Charlotte Guy.

U23 men top place-getters Jordan Callum and Joel Marsh. Photo: Aaron Colquhoun

Results 

Elite Men
🥇 Bennett Greenough (New Zealand)
🥈 Jesse Asmus (Nerang BMX Club)
🥉 Oliver Moran (Manning Valley BMX Club)

Elite Women
🥇 Leila Walker (New Zealand)
🥈 Megan Williams (New Zealand)
🥉 Teya Rufus (Maryborough BMX Club)

U23 Men
🥇 Joel Marsh (Happy Valley BMX Club)
🥈 Jordan Callum (Hills BMX Club)
🥉 Joshua Jolly (Ballarat Sebastopol CC - BMX)

 U23 Women
🥇 Isabella Schramm (Ashmore BMX Club)
🥈 Brooke Penny (New Zealand)
🥉 Mia Webster (Park Orchards BMX Club)

Junior Men
🥇 AJ Donald (Hawkesbury Hornets BMX Club)
🥈 Preston Murray (The Cove BMX Club)
🥉 Cameron Gatt (Geelong BMX Club)

Junior Women
🥇 Lily Greenough (New Zealand)
🥈 Charlotte Guy (Ashmore BMX Club)

Full Results.

Main image AJ Donald. Photo: Aaron Colquhoun