Hi my name is Bianca Puglisi, I am 21 years old and I am a distance runner based in Melbourne, Australia. My Australian Sports foundation page is to further my athletic career and compete interstate and internationally to better myself as an athlete and further my transition into the open age competition.

It is surreal that I have been selected to represent Australia for the first time at the upcoming FISU world university cross country championships in the Middle East (Muscat, Oman) to take place in February 2024, competing in the individual 10km event.

This year has been my most successful season as an open athlete (only my second year in the open category) especially throughout the cross country season winning the under 23 national title at the Australian Cross Country Championships in Canberra, ACT. 

After nationals, I didn’t take a break and was interested to see my performance in road racing. I competed in one of my favourite events and distances in October, the Melbourne Half Marathon placing 4th overall within the female category, winning my age group and running a massive pb, chipping off 3 minutes from my previous time, finishing with a time of 77 minutes. 

In order to represent Australia at an international level and as a self funded athlete the costs of elite sport are very extensive for travelling, competitions, fees, gear and annual membership. 

My family throughout my 13 years in this sport have helped me tremendously to reach this level at the moment and help fund me as much as they can and always will, so I would be very appreciative and grateful for your support that you can provide me on my journey to reach the highest level possible.

https://worldathletics.org/athletes/australia/bianca-puglisi-14767196