A World In One Circle | Diverse Women's Discus Field at Maurie Plant Meet

As Melbourne transforms into the epicentre of world-class athletics, the attraction of competing Down Under has never been more apparent, with the Women’s Discus field at the Maurie Plant Meet shaping up to be a showcase of talent from across the globe.

From Oceania to Europe, Asia to Africa and the Americas, athletes from every continent represented by the Olympic rings will converge; each bringing a slice of their homeland’s sporting prowess to Australian shores.

Taryn Gollshewsky has been a force in Australian discus since making her senior team debut in 2014 and says the calibre of athletes coming to the Victorian capital has the potential to lift the standard of competition usually seen at domestic meets.

“I’m really excited for the Maurie Plant Meet. We have a fantastic field of athletes with world class accomplishments, and the high calibre of competition will certainly warrant big distances,” Gollshewsky said.

“It will push me to be at my best in an Olympic year and push me closer to the qualifying standard (64.50). My training has been going well and I believe in a competition with good conditions, I can achieve this.”

Representing Europe will be seasoned throwers in Commonwealth bronze medallist Jade Lally (GBR) who walks into Lakeside Stadium with the furthest personal best of 65.10m, while world rank number 12, Italy’s national record holder Daisy Osakue poses as a threat to the Australian champion with a lifetime best of 64.57m.

The established African athletes Ashley Anumba (Nigeria) and Nora Monie (Cameroon) will add further credentials to the field, with both ranked comfortably amongst the world’s top 50, while Jamaica’s Samantha Hall will use the Maurie Plant Meet – Melbourne as a launching pad as she climbs up the world rankings from number 25. Maki Saito of Japan represents the fifth continent making it a truly international affair as the Olympic and Paralympic year begins.

The field is not only a display of individual talent, but a reflection of the growing stature of Australia as a premier destination for top athletes, with the seven athletes already battled through their first duel.

Home grown talent was Gollshewsky forced to work hard for her first win of the Chemist Warehouse Summer Series in Adelaide. Waiting for her very last throw to topple the field, the Bundaberg product threw the disc 58.67m, but knows she cannot rest on her laurels to continue her winning streak.

“My main focus for Maurie Plant will be on myself having length through the circle. Focusing on other athletes is a distraction, so my attention will be on my technique cues, relaxing and chasing big throws,” she said.

“This meet will be a pre-cursor for a big year for many of us. I’m certainly looking forward to throwing against these women and the high standard of athletics currently on Australian shores.”

The Maurie Plant Meet is part of the Chemist Warehouse Summer Series and supported by the Victorian Government via Visit Victoria.

The action starts from 6pm AEDT on Thursday. Tickets can be purchased here.  

By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 12/2/2024