Bisset Breaks New Barrier as Australians Light up London

Catriona Bisset spearheaded the nation’s charge at the London Diamond League overnight, breaking her Oceania 800m record, while fellow Australians nailed podium finishes and Olympic qualifiers as the countdown to next month’s World Athletics Championships continues.

Returning to the stadium where she first etched her name into Australian history books, Bisset (Ned Brophy-Williams) raced her way to a stunning fourth-place finish, clocking a new Oceania record of 1:57.78 and becoming the first Australian woman to eclipse the 1:58 mark. 

While the Tokyo Olympian narrowly missed the podium, Bisset wiped off over 0.3-seconds from her previous record set in Chorzow, Poland in 2021 and registered a time more than two-seconds faster than the qualifying standard for the Paris Olympic Games.

“I’ve been in PB shape for a couple of years so that’s why this feels like a big step. It was like breaking the glass ceiling when I went under two-minutes for the first time. I’ve had that record hanging over me since 2021 and I feel like I’ve improved a lot from that time so to finally get it again feels amazing,” Bisset said.

“I’ve learnt that you just have to respect the race and be patient.  Every race you have to be present and run the race for what it is. There have been so many times I’ve gone into a race and tried to run the way I want to run, but haven’t actually run the race itself and haven’t been able to achieve what I have wanted”

Less than 48 hours after a fifth place finish at the Monaco Diamond League, Brooke Buschkuehl (Russell Stratton) soared to silver in the Women’s Long Jump, leaping to a best of 6.72m on her fifth attempt. Having attempted 17 jumps in competition over just six days, the Australian was battling fatigue but lifted to achieve her fourth best result of the 2023 season.

“I’ve never jumped this much in the space of six days. My body is definitely feeling it and I’m going to have to recover pretty hard just to make sure I can get good training in between now and Budapest,”  Buschkuehl said.. 

Finishing in time to witness her countrywoman cross the finish line with another Australian record, the Commonwealth silver medallist said she has been inspired by the depth of Australian athletics throughout the European season. 

“When other Aussie athletes are doing well, it makes you want to lift your standard. It’s an amazing track and amazing stadium. I’m not surprised everyone is doing well over here but it’s a great time to be hitting some form with Budapest so close now.” 

Matthew Denny (Dale Stevenson) unleashed for another Diamond League podium, when throwing 66.77m to place second in the Men’s Discus. Propelling the discus to a season’s best on his fourth attempt, the Commonwealth champion was consistent in his series of six throws, with all attempts registering marks over 64m, flexing his form as he builds towards his peak for Budapest. 

Despite his success at London Stadium, the Queenslander believes there is much more to come in Budapest as he aims to dismantle Benn Harradine’s decade-long Australian record of 68.20.

“As happy as I am today, I didn’t “get it” even with the 66.70m I did, which which was really frustrating. I wanted to throw 68 today and when I threw 66, I thought it was pretty good but I didn’t think it was the best throw. There’s a new level of timing now, and I know what the queues are to get that sort of distance and it’s just about relaxing as I get into the throw,” Denny said.

Stewart McSweyn (Nic Bideau) found himself in a familiar position when leading a star-studded Men’s 1500m field, assuming duties as the pilot after the pacemaker’s withdrawal. Leading down the back straight before being caught up in the traffic, the King Island product rallied to sixth place in a time of 3:31.42, achieving the Paris Olympic qualifying standard. 

Fellow Australian Adam Spencer (Mick Byrne) relished his Diamond League debut when roaring to qualifiers for both the Budapest 2023 World Championships and Paris 2024 Olympic Games, clocking 3:31.81 to finish in 12th place.

The 21-year-old who owned a personal best of 3:36.78 prior to the gun firing was buoyed by the sellout crowd, delivering the result off the back of less than one day’s notice:

“I got a call at 5.30pm asking if I wanted to do Diamond League. I said, “bloody oath, I do”. I didn’t have the best preparation but that’s the best time,” Spencer said.

Global medallist Nina Kennedy (Paul Burgess & James Fitzpatrick) fell just shy of the podium in the Women’s Pole Vault when placing fourth with a best clearance of 4.71m. Up against blustery conditions, the Western Australian cleared her final height on her third attempt, but was ultimately defeated by Finland’s Wilma Murto and reigning Olympic champion Katie Moon (USA) who both cleared 4.80m, as well as Slovenia’s Tina Sutej who defeated Kennedy on countback. 

Adding to the Australian action, Joel Baden (Sandro Bissetto) mustered a 2.16m clearance to finish in ninth place of the Men’s High Jump. 

Outside of the main program, Australia’s 4x100m relay teams lined up, with some of the country’s best sprinters on display. The Women’s team consisting of Kristie Edwards (David Reid), Ella Connolly (Andrew Murphy), Bree Masters  (Ryan Hoffman) and Ebony Lane (Matt Carter) clocked 43.46 for fifth place, while the Men’s team of Lachlan Kennedy (Andrew Iselin),  Jacob Despard (Rolf Ohman),  Christopher Ius (Andrew Murphy) and Jake Penny (Mandi Cole & Matt Wade) finished their lap around the track in 38.62 for sixth place. 

With the top 16 teams in the world qualifying for the World Athletics Championships, the Women's team remain in contention, ranked at 12th however, the Men's team were knocked down to 17th overnight, as Japan shot up the rankings list to 9th with a time of 37.80.

By Sascha Ryner and Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia

Posted: 23/7/2022