The 17-year-old has added two medals (a gold and silver) and a memorial trophy to her cabinet after stellar performances in the 5km walk and 10km run at the Oceania Athletics Championships in Rarotonga, Cook Islands.

And she said bringing home the gold in the 5000 metre walk still feels surreal.

“I don’t think it’s quite sunk in yet – people congratulate me when I’m walking down the street and my immediate reaction is to ask “what for?”,” Jayde told the Guardian.

“It’s the first international event I’ve been to and I’ve not won medals at any of the big national meets before, so it’s a huge achievement.

“I trained hard for the 5km walk, but the 10km run was a spur of the moment entry … I just winged it.”

Jayde completed the 5km walk in a time of 24:55.14, nearly 45 seconds off her personal best on track but quick enough to beat the rest.

To add to the honour of taking home gold, she was also presented the inaugural Lesley Cantwell Memorial Race Walk Trophy. Lesley was a well known and respected athlete (from NZ) who tragically lost her life after completing the Women’s 5000m Walk in the Oceania Championships in Tahiti in 2013.

Jayde was one of 59 Australians selected for the event which saw all Oceania countries compete on-track.

“The Oceania Championships is the biggest international meet just for Oceania countries,” she said. “And a lot of people said it was the biggest meet they’ve seen in years.

“It was amazing to see and experience the atmosphere, crowd and culture of the Cook Islands.

“All in all it was a great experience.”

Race walking is a faster version of regular walking and is a recognised discipline of athletics. Although it is a foot race, it is different from running in that one foot must appear to be in contact with the ground at all times.

The sport takes time to master, and even though only 17 years of age, Jayde has the technique down pat. 

“I like it because it is so different from any other sport,” she said. “Soccer and football are similar, netball and basketball are similar, etc … but it (race walking) is so different from running.

“I train like any long-distance runner would … I do exactly what they would but instead of running, I’d walk. 

“It’s all about repetition.”

The youngster has her sights set high; one day hoping to compete at the Olympics, but for now, the agenda is preparation for State Cross Country and the winter rounds in race walking.

* Jayde would like to thank her sponsors, family and friends and coach Yvonne Melene for their overwhelming support.