Gold in sight for Diamond and Holder as Geddes finishes with a fantastic fourth

Amid fierce competition at the World University Games, sprinter Sam Geddes showcased skill to secure an impressive fourth place on Day 2 of the athletics program, while Reece Holder and Alec Diamond eye off the ultimate prize as they get ready for their final day of competition.

Sam Geddes (John Nicolosi, Deakin University) will leave China as a World University Games finalist, having just missed a spot on the podium in the Women’s 100m.

Advancing to the final with the fastest non-automatic qualifying time (11.49, +0.3), Geddes stormed down the home straight to clock 11.46 (+0.2) to post the fastest time of her career.

Whilst the 2014 Youth Olympic Games bronze medallist finished fourth, progressing through to the final was victory enough for the Physical Education student as she reflected on her career and how far she has come since returning to the sport after a two-year break in 2021.

“I knew that I was capable of executing and sticking it to them, so I just soaked up the energy in the stadium and went for it. It’s surreal to consider that a few years ago I’d completely stepped away from the sport and now I’m contending a major championships final,” Geddes said.

“I am so grateful to everyone in my team and family for their unwavering support, love and terrible jokes, especially my coach John Nicolosi!”

A member of Australia’s non-travelling 2021 World Under 20 Championships team, Reece Holder (Queensland University of Technology, Sharon Dale) finished his second day of competition with another victory, securing a spot in the 400m final as the fastest sprinter of three heats.

Charging around the track from Lane 7, Holder crossed the finish line in 45.75 – missing his personal best by just 0.1 second – leaving Japan’s Kenki Imaizimi to follow behind in 46.01. With two wins from two, the Bachelor of Engineering Student is the favourite to win gold but will take on five other athletes with sub-46 times to their name. Holder will compete at 8.40pm AEST tonight.

Two other sprinters contested semi finals, as Joshua Azzopardi (ACPE, Rob Marks) and Christopher Ius (Sydney University, Andrew Murphy) lined up for the Men’s 100m. Azzopardi was the fastest of the pair, crossing the line fifth with a 10.31 (+1.2) performance and narrowly missed out on a finals berth by just 0.01 seconds. Ius was fourth in the third and final heat, clocking 10.39m (+0.5).

Alyssa Lowe (University of Sydney, Alex Stewart and Nicole Boegman-Stewart) and Annie McGuire (Griffith University) had their first taste of a major championships final, when placing eighth and tenth respectively in the Women’s Long Jump.

Lowe landed a best of 6.15m (-0.17) on her second attempt, equalling the jump that earned her a spot in the final, while McGuire’s best of 6.05m (-1.1) saw her exit the competition after three jumps.

In other results of the day, 2019 World University Games silver medallist Alec Diamond (Australian Catholic University, Zsuzsanna Olgyay-Szabo) is on track to climb one step higher on the podium, finishing Day 1 of the Decathlon as the leader with 4155 points.

With three season’s best over five events thus far, the in-form Diamond separated himself from the 19-strong field, finishing first the long jump with a landing of 7.54m (-0.5) and the 400m, where he clocked 48.77 as crossed the finish line. His lowest placing over five events was sixth in the 100m when stopping the clock at 10.99 for a season’s best.

Only 39 points separate the Australian from Czech Republic’s Vilen Strasky in second, but Diamond still has his best event to come as he gets ready to launch the javelin.

Compatriot Colby Eddowes (Matt Vining) was unable to complete the first day of competition, citing a hamstring injury after the long jump. Though Eddowes will officially record a DNF, the Arkansas State University student put in solid performances across the 100m, long jump and shot put.

His 11.21 (+0.2) performance was his fifth-fastest time over 100m, while his long jump result of 7.30m (-0.4) was his fourth furthest leap.

The Australian action at the World University Games will continue today from 11am AEST and can be watched live and free via www.FISU.tv

By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 3/8/2023