Browning wins prestigious 2023 Betty Cuthbert Medal

After putting on a masterclass at the 100th edition of the Australian Track and Field Championships, Australia’s fastest man Rohan Browning has won the Betty Cuthbert Medal for Best Single Performance of the Meet.

Browning dazzled crowds when coming within a whisker of breaking the 10-second barrier in the Men’s 100m final, stopping the clock at 10.02m as he claimed the Australian crown on Saturday afternoon.

The performance was the second fastest of his career and, significantly for Australian athletics, the fastest time ever by an Australian on home soil and the fastest time recorded in the country for 23 years.

“It’s a real honour to win this medal and I’m actually really humbled. The current crop of athletes in Australia is brilliant at the moment and the Championships saw so many incredible performances. I feel undeserving of this award and also very fortunate,” Browning said.

Reflecting on his performance, the man known as the Flying Mullet said his time coupled with his trajectory this season gives him reassurance ahead of what could be a breakthrough season on the international circuit. 

“That race gave me a lot of confidence. There’s a lot more there and it’s got me hungry for the rest of the year.  The 10.02 after a consistent season is validation that Murph (coach, Andrew Murphy) and I are taking the right direction in our training. It’s super validating.”

The Betty Cuthbert Medal respects and recognises the extraordinary athletic achievements of four-time Olympic gold medallist Cuthbert and is awarded annually to the athlete, female or male, who has produced the most outstanding single performance in the Open events at the Australian Track and Field Championships.

The 2023 Chemist Warehouse Australian Track and Field Championships in Brisbane also served as the selection trial for the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, with four athletes so far selected, including Olympic silver medallist Nicola Olyslagers, Olympic finalists Matthew Denny and Jessica Hull as well as Olympic hurdler Michelle Jenneke. 

Athletes who met the qualifying standard for Budapest and competed in at least two national meets of the Chemist Warehouse Summer Series confirmed their place on the Australian team, when placing first or second in their championship event.  

Athletics Australia’s Selection Panel will make a second round of selections at the end of the Budapest qualifying period in July. 

Australian team for the World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023

• Matthew Denny (Men’s Discus Throw)
• Jessica Hull (Women’s 1500m) 
• Michelle Jenneke (Women’s 100m Hurdles)
• Nicola Olyslagers (Women's High Jump)

By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 3/4/2023