Hollingsworth to Strike when Time is Right | Canberra Track Classic
Published Tue 27 Feb 2024
Having never chased a time in her life, Claudia Hollingsworth says now is not the time to start. Nestled somewhere between humble and oblivious when it comes to her success, the 18-year-old has drifting hopes of retaining her ‘underdog’ status ahead of Saturday’s Chemist Warehouse Canberra Track Classic.
It’s a storyline obvious to most, but to Hollingsworth merely a distraction. After becoming the 10th Australian woman in history to shatter the two-minute barrier over 800m with a 1:59.81 performance to win at the Maurie Plant Meet – Melbourne, the result left the teenage sensation within striking distance of the 1:59.30 Olympic qualifying standard in Canberra.
“When you get so close to the time, that’s all you can think about – more than winning the race. My coach Craig [Mottram] put it back into perspective that this season is so long and there is so much more time, and the best way to prove yourself in each race is to win it,” Hollingsworth says.
“We aren’t too pushy about getting the time now, we just want to get lots of experience through racing and keep that feeling of winning and the excitement up. I think it will happen naturally and that’s better for someone like me who is a bit less experienced, because I’ve never chased times before.”
Launching off the top bend at Lakeside Stadium in front of 6000 fans two weeks ago, Hollingsworth first went past Australian record holder Catriona Bisset before reeling in the in-form Abbey Caldwell, stamping her presence on the national scene with her third consecutive Chemist Warehouse Summer Series win and back-to-back Australian Under 20 records.
“It honestly felt like a national final racing in that field. I think that’s why I went in with such low confidence because I didn’t believe in myself that I could do it, so to come out of that with a win comes with more pressure obviously,” Hollingsworth says.
“There’s been a lot of media which has been fun. I respected it was a good run and stuff, but it wasn’t like I qualified or won a final or anything. It was a lot of publicity for what it was.”
For all her undeniable physical ability, racing with confidence and maturity is a skill the middle-distance star continues to improve upon every time she steps on the track – learning from the best with dual Australian appearances in 2022 when racing at both the World Championships in Eugene (USA) and World Under 20 Championships in Cali (Colombia) as a 17-year-old.
Set to take on teammates Bendere Oboya and Imogen Barrett this Saturday, along with Olympians Georgia Griffith and Morgan Mitchell, Hollingsworth is doing her best to embrace her newfound favourite label.
“I like to go in as the underdog and the unknown because it takes the pressure off, but I guess losing that with improvement is part of the sport,” Hollingsworth says.
“I’ve never experienced racing in Australia like this before. I’m having lots of fun and seeing where I can go with things. To race against those girls and feel like I’m finally kind of up there a bit – it’s more exciting than daunting.”
Training under the guidance of longtime coach and Australian athletics legend Criag Mottram and his growing squad, Hollingsworth is remaining level-headed in a year that features opportunities at both the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and 2024 World Under 20 Championships in Lima, Peru.
“What Craig says, I listen and trust because we have been working together for so long now – it always seems to work out. We have similar ways that we want to train, race and execute. I know his intentions are what’s best for me,” Hollingsworth says.
“I was lucky to have the first opportunity and have been able to see the group grow. It’s a bit of a risk, being in the first 10 members of a new squad because nothing happens instantly, but it’s a leap of faith and seeing the progress has brought such a team environment to the sport.”
Building a careful progression in mileage with a focus on enjoyment for the sport and experimenting with new fueling, gym programs and altitude training, Hollingsworth says there is more to come – with Mottram’s message to her on that teasing 800m Olympic qualifier simple and clear:
“You will get it; you just need to be patient. It might not be in Canberra, but we need to just keep having fun rather than chasing times.”
Entries for the Chemist Warehouse Canberra Track Classic can be viewed HERE and via the Roser Athletics app.
Supported by the ACT Government, the Canberra Track Classic is part of the Chemist Warehouse Summer Series and will be streamed live and free on Seven’s digital platform, 7plus.
Tickets can be purchased HERE.
By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 27/2/2024
