Olufemi Komolafe – 2026 Stawell Gift Winner

Olufemi Komolafe – 2026 Stawell Gift Winner

Olufemi Komolafe – 2026 Stawell Gift Winner

By Stuart Dempster

“When you are making porridge, it needs to be brought to the boil slowly to achieve the full flavour and goodness.”

There could not be a more fitting way to describe the rise of Olufemi Komolafe—the latest winner of the iconic Stawell Gift.

In an era where young athletes are increasingly pushed into early specialisation, intense training schedules, and professional-level expectations before they’ve even finished school, Komolafe’s story stands as a powerful counterpoint.

A Different Path – And a Better One

Komolafe did not come through a high-performance academy.
He was not identified early and placed on a rigid “elite pathway.”
He did not train like a professional from the age of 12.

Instead, he did what young people are supposed to do.

He played football.
He explored music—piano, bass guitar, and saxophone.
He competed in athletics casually, turning up during the school season with little to no structured training.

In short, he was allowed to develop—physically, mentally, and emotionally—without being overcooked.

The Coach Who Got It Right

Enter Paul Young—one of the most knowledgeable sprint coaches in the country.

Young didn’t rush the process.
He didn’t overload the athlete.
He didn’t chase short-term wins.

He did something far more effective—he applied patience and understanding.

After spotting Komolafe at a school carnival, Young invited him into his training group. At that stage, Komolafe had no coach, no structured programme, and no background of heavy training loads.

From there, the approach was simple:

  • Minimal sessions
  • Training built around school commitments
  • Gradual progression
  • No unnecessary pressure

This is coaching.

Not noise. Not volume. Not ego.

Against the Grain of Modern Coaching

Contrast this with what we now see all too often:

  • Teenagers training like full-time professionals
  • Multiple sessions per week from a young age
  • Constant competition schedules
  • Academic pressure combined with physical overload
  • Burnout before the athlete even reaches adulthood

This model is not just flawed—it is failing athletes.

At The Sprint Stable, we see the consequences regularly:

  • Dropout
  • Injury
  • Loss of enjoyment
  • Mental fatigue

And yet, the cycle continues.

Brought to the Boil—Properly

Komolafe only began training seriously in his final years of school.

Even then:

  • Training was infrequent and controlled
  • Sessions were purposeful, not excessive
  • Competition was selective, not constant

Earlier this year, after a minor setback and dip in form, news that Christian Coleman would be competing provided fresh motivation.

From that point, preparation increased—but crucially, it was built on a foundation that had not been rushed or damaged.

Paul Young had done what too few coaches are willing to do:

He waited.

He developed.

He brought the athlete to the boil—slowly.

Proof That There Is Another Way

Now studying medicine at university, Komolafe is balancing academic demands with sprint training—something many believe is impossible.

It isn’t.

In fact, it’s often beneficial. Training becomes a release, not a burden.

His journey delivers a clear message:

You do not need to start early and train like a professional to succeed.

In many cases, doing so is exactly what prevents success.

Key Takeaways from Komolafe’s Development

  • Supportive—not pushy—parents
  • Multi-sport and multi-skill development
  • Late specialisation
  • Minimal, high-quality training
  • A patient, knowledgeable coach
  • No academy pressure
  • No early “elite” labelling

Final Word

This is not just a success story.

It is a lesson.

A lesson for coaches.
A lesson for parents.
A lesson for the sport.

If we continue to push children into adult training environments, we will continue to lose them.

If we allow them time, space, and proper coaching—we may just produce more athletes like Olufemi Komolafe.

And more importantly, we might keep them in the sport long enough to find out how good they can really be.

 

ABC Interview with coach and athlete

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DW0UJV2Aepe/?igsh=MWNzN3QzM2Y0dXlqdQ==

 

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