New Zealand’s fastest man Eddie Osei-Nketia has officially changed allegiances in a move that could have major ramifications for Australian sprinting.

Osei-Nketia, who broke his father Gus Nketia’s national 100m record with a time of 10.08 seconds at the 2022 world championships in Eugene, Oregon, has not represented New Zealand for three years.

The 24-year-old is now based in the United States but has long been a regular fixture on the Australian domestic circuit.

Athletics Australia (AA) has committed significant resources to the relay program in recent years, qualifying all five teams for the 2025 world titles in Tokyo.

That squad included Osei-Nketia’s younger brother Augustine Nketia junior in the 4x400m.

The emergence of teen sensation Gout Gout and sub-10 second man Lachie Kennedy has raised the prospect of Australia challenging for medals in the men’s 4x100m relay at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and beyond.

At his best, Osei-Nketia would be a significant addition to the squad.

“Welcome, Edward Osei-Nketia,” posted AA on Instagram.

“He has been lighting up Australian tracks for years but Edward Osei-Nketia is now officially eligible to represent Australia on the world stage, successfully completing his transfer of allegiance from New Zealand.

“The 10.08-second man joins the nation’s rising sprinting stocks. This is going to be fun.”

Osei-Nketia, who spent eight years based in Canberra as a schoolboy, holds the NZ 100m and 200m records and set a wind-assisted 100m time of 9.96 in Texas earlier this year.

After moving to the US, he had a crack at American football before recommitting to athletics with the University of Southern California in 2024.

“My goal with Australia is to break both the 100m and 200m record and also help the relay team to not just make the finals, (but) also to earn a medal on the big stage, and with the team I believe it’s possible,” he told the AP in a statement.

“Not just LA, the Commonwealth Games, world championships and the world relays, any chance we get.”