Seven global finalists in Field of Dreams at Maurie Plant Meet - Melbourne

Seven global finalists from the most recent World Athletics Championships and Olympic Games will bring major credentials to the field at the Maurie Plant Meet – Melbourne, led by Olympic medallist Nicola Olyslagers, as Commonwealth rivals Matthew Denny and Lawrence Okoye get ready for a clash of the titans in Melbourne.

Coming out strong with a season opener of 2.03m over the weekend in Canberra – equal to her Australian record – Olympic silver medallist Olyslagers has picked up where she left off last season, when clinching second place in the Diamond League high jump final with the performance of her life.

Retaining the world lead she finished with last year, the two-time global medallist is now ready to raise the bar once more, using the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meet to hone her craft as she prepares to claim the crown in Paris.

“I am really excited to have the opportunity to jump in front of an Australian crowd at the Maurie Plant Meet,” Olyslagers said.

“In 2023, it helped begin one of the best seasons of my career. Last year I was super consistent, I loved competing with the women on the circuit and I am hoping to bring that international presence to Melbourne.”

While Olyslagers will be going for win number two at the Maurie Plant Meet, amongst her competition will be 19-year-old World Athletics Championships representative and Olympic hopeful Erin Shaw as well as Commonwealth Youth medallist Izobelle Louison-Roe. Kiwi World Indoor medallist Hamish Kerr and reigning Australian champion and 2022 World Championships finalist Joel Baden will spearhead the men’s high jump as they wow the crowd.

The rivalry will be strong in the Men’s Discus, as reigning Diamond League champion and Australian record holder Matthew Denny fights off Commonwealth rival and former NFL defensive tackle Lawrence Okoye (GBR), while trans-Tasman rival Connor Bell returns after toppling the field with a New Zealand record at the meet in 2023.

While Denny is staunch in his focus on not losing one meet this year, both rivals have the ability dismantle Denny’s goal, with the Melbourne meet hosting the second clash in a week after the Chemist Warehouse Adelaide Invitational on February 10. The women’s competition will provide as much entertainment as Australia’s Taryn Gollshewsky takes on Italy’s four-time national champion and Olympic finalist Daisy Osakue.   

Olympic finalist Kathryn Mitchell will open her season in her home state, with the Australian record holder ready to launch the javelin far. Fans last saw the Australian record holder line up for the final at the World Athletics Championships, unable to compete due to an injury on the field of play.

Australian long jump record holder Brooke Buschkuehl adds to the depth of field of the meet as she makes steps towards her third Olympic Games final. Joining her will be the winner of the event at the inaugural Maurie Plant Meet, two-time World Championships representative Samantha Dale as the two Australians begin their campaign for the title of Australia’s premier long jumper.

The World Athletics Continental Tour Gold series is the uppermost level on the World Athletics Continental Tour calendar, sitting just under the Diamond League in status. Each meet attracts the best athletes across the globe, with 14 existing meets offered in Africa, Europe, Asia and Oceania.

The meet is supported by the Victorian Government via Visit Victoria and conducted within Athletics Australia’s Chemist Warehouse Summer Series.

Tickets for the Maurie Plant Meet – Melbourne to be held at Lakeside Stadium on February 15 can be purchased HERE.

The Maurie Plant Meet - Melbourne will be streamed live and free via 7plus for Australian viewers, while international viewers can tune in via World Athletics.

Field of Dreams Full of Major Credentials:

Nicola Olyslagers – High Jump (AUS)

• Olympic silver medal (2021)
• World Athletics Championships bronze (2023)
• Commonwealth Games bronze (2022)
• Oceania and Australian record holder – 2.03m

Matthew Denny - Discus (AUS)

• Olympic finalist (2021)
• World Athletics Championships finalist (2019, 2022, 2023)
• Diamond League Trophy winner (2023)
• Commonwealth Games gold medallist (2022)
• Commonwealth Games silver medallist (2018)
• Oceania and Australian record holder – 68.43m

Daisy Osakue – Discus (ITA)

• Olympic finalist (2021)
• World Athletics Championships finalist (2023)
• World University Games gold medallist (2019)
• Personal best – 64.57m

Connor Bell – Discus (NZ)

• World Athletics Championships finalist (2023)
• New Zealand record holder – 66.23m

Kathryn Mitchell – Javelin (AUS)

• Olympic finalist (2012, 2016, 2021)
• World Athletics Championships finalist (2013, 2023)
• Commonwealth Games gold medallist – 2018
• Australian record holder – 68.92m

Brooke Buschkuehl – Long Jump (AUS)

• Olympic finalist (2016, 2021)
• World Athletics Championships finalist (2017, 2019, 2022)
• Commonwealth Games silver medallist (2018, 2022)
• Oceania and Australian record holder – 7.13m

Hamish Kerr – High Jump (NZL)

• Olympic finalist (2021)
• World Athletics Indoor Championships bronze medallist (2022)
• Commonwealth Games gold medallist (2022)
• New Zealand record holder – 2.34m

By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 31/1/2023