As announced by Athletics Canada on Monday (July 20), University of Toronto Varsity Blues track and field sprinter William Tapodi has been named to Team Canada for the upcoming 2026 U20 World Athletics Championships.

A kinesiology student from Toronto, Tapodi was one of 38 athletes selected to travel with the national team to Eugene, Oregon for the international showcase at Hayward Field from August 5-9. He will compete in the 400m hurdles. Tapodi earned a spot on the national roster following outstanding performances at both the U20 Ontario Provincial Championships and U20 Canadian National Championships.

During his first season with the Varsity Blues this past year, Tapodi shined as a sprint hurdles specialist. He grabbed a bronze in the 60m hurdles at the York Holiday Open and a silver in the 300m at the annual Hal Brown Last Chance Meet. Competing at his first OUA Provincial Championships, Tapodi placed 12^th in the 60m hurdles.

Prelims for the men's 400m hurdles at the U20 World Athletics Championships is scheduled for 1:45 p.m. (EST) on Thursday, August 6. Semi-finals follow on August 8, with the final scheduled for the afternoon of August 9.