Australia has capped off a sensational final day at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, claiming four medals, including gold, silver and two bronze as well as a new national record, to seal the nation’s most successful campaign in the event’s history.
With seven medals in total over three days of competition, Australia finished sixth on the gold medal tally and recorded the second-highest overall medal count behind USA’s 16 medals, underscoring the rising strength of Australian track and field.
Headlining the final day of action was a gold and silver finish in the women’s high jump from Nicola Olyslagers (NSW, Matt Horsnell) and Eleanor Patterson (VIC, Fuzz Caan), before Liam Adcock (NSW) soared to 8.28m to claim bronze in the men’s long jump as he secured his first global medal in the green and gold.
“I opened conservative with the new format where athletes get knocked off every few jumps but I was able to put out a decent series and had a lot of fun doing it,” Adcock said.
Pipped for gold and silver by just two and one centimetres respectively, with Italy’s Mattia Furlani (8.30m) and Jamaica’s Wayne Pinnock (8.29m) taking the honours, Adcock admitted he felt he had more to give, with his best efforts of 8.28m coming in the opening two rounds of competition.
“It was the first indoor competition ever for me, and the second time I’ve run on an indoor track. The hard track benefits me, but I have this problem with expectation. I thought I could have won it but I was still stoked to see the Australian flag. It was a surreal moment really when I thought about retiring from the sport six months ago.”
Moments later, the Women’s 4x400m relay team comprising of Olympians Ellie Beer (QLD, Brett Robinson), Ella Connolly (NSW, Andrew Murphy) and Australian team debutants Bella Pasquali (VIC, Jason Boulton) and Jemma Pollard (NSW, Tim Eschebach) made history, storming home to bronze in 3:32.65 to win Australia’s first medal in the event in 26 years.
With strong, composed performances from all four women, it was Beer who set the tone, powering out of the blocks to push Australia into third place from the outset. From there, the team was able to hold their position, navigating the tight indoor bends with confidence to secure a place on the podium next to Team USA (3:27.45) and Poland (3:32.05).
“It was an amazing experience. Our first World Indoor Championships and first time running on an indoor track for almost all of us,” Beer said.
“We were all so nervous but we came around with a bronze medal and what an experience to share it with the girls, it’s such a privilege.”
18-year-old Pasquali was thrilled to begin her Open career with such a bang.
“To be at such a young age in an Open team is one thing and then to win a medal is another. I’m so privileged to be racing with this girls, it’s amazing.”
Middle distance star Georgia Griffith (VIC, Nic Bideau) added to the celebrations with a bold run in the Women’s 1500m final, finishing fourth in a time of 4:00.80 to set a new Australian short track record. The two-time Olympian eclipsed Olympic silver medallist Jessica Hull’s record of 4:01.19 from 2024 to become the top-placing Australian in the event at the Championships.
Griffith asserted herself from the gun, keeping up with Ethiopian duo Gudaf Tsegay and Diribe Welteji, before Tsegay took off in an attempt to break the word record. As the race unfolded, Great Britain’s Georgia Hunter Bell slowly closed the gap and outpaced the Australian in the final laps to take bronze.
The Australian team will now return home and will focus their attention on Saturday night’s Maurie Plant Meet – Melbourne, as well as the Australian Athletics Championships which begin on April 5.
By Sascha Ryner, Australian Athletics
Posted: 24/3/2025
