Beer triumphs with gold | Pacific Games Day Three

Tokyo Olympian Ellie Beer has cemented Australia’s commanding presence at the 2023 Pacific Games, clinching the nation’s sixth gold medal on Day Three of the athletics action.

Beer (Brett Robinson) showcased her dominance from the start of the one-lap race, taking charge over the first bend, and widening an ever-increasing gap with every stride.  Clocking an impressive 52.67 on her season opener, the performance was her fourth fastest yet and her best since the World Under 20 Championships in Colombia last year.

“Honestly it feels amazing, not just to win gold but to wear the green and gold. To come out here, and compete with the best support group ever; the AOC, my friends, my family and it’s been an amazing experience,” the 400m specialist said.

“In my heat I didn’t push out hard enough but I pushed out hard tonight to give myself even rhythm down the back straight. I could hear the roar of the cheering and it got me going, and I thought, let’s just do this and have fun. I come out and do 400m, because I love it.

“The last few years I’ve battled a lot of nerves going out onto the track, but tonight my coach said to me, “Els, treat it like a rep at training and just enjoy it. Right, I said. Let’s just go out there, and have fun. That’s what sport is about. Robbo, you got me out on the track tonight.”

The day’s events were rife with triumph, as long jumpers Samantha Dale (Andrew Murphy) and Katie Gunn (Matt Horsnell) made waves in round one of the Women’s Long Jump.

Two-time world championships representative Dale shattered the meet record with her first and only attempt at 6.29m (+1.7) to exceed the 5.80m automatic qualifier, while Gunn’s leap of 5.82m (1.8m) on her first attempt to finish second overall.

Adding to the spectacle, Calab Law (Andrew Iselin) continued his momentum just a day after claiming gold in the 100m when cruising to victory in the 200m heats. Blazing his way around the bend in 21.48 (+1.4), Law showed that the sprint double is well in reach, effortlessly securing the top spot for the next round.

The penultimate day of competition will see Law back on the track, along with Desleigh Owusu (Andrew Murphy) go for gold, while sprint hurdlers, national champion Mitchell Lightfoot (Alex Stewart) and World University Games representative Imogen Breslin (Mick Zisti) look to take on back-to-back heats and finals.

By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 30/11/2023