Hurdles Preview - Hopeful hurdles contingent
Published Tue 03 Apr 2018
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Women’s 100m hurdles
Unfortunately, the double-defending champion Sally Pearson (Qld) has withdrawn from the Commonwealth Games with
The 31-year-old had been in line to compete at a fourth Games for Australia but was unable to overcome a recurrence of an Achilles injury that had hampered her preparations in recent weeks.
In her absence, Jamaican champion Megan Simmonds looks the favourite for the Commonwealth crown that Pearson won in Delhi 2010 and Glasgow 2014. The diminutive hurdler, who stands at a mere 1.56m, has a personal best of 12.79 from 2016.
England’s Tiffany Porter was second in Glasgow and with a best of 12.75 in 2017 cannot be discounted.
Michelle Jenneke (NSW) was fifth in the Glasgow final in 13.36 and her recent form suggests she will better than performance.
Jenneke went into the 2018 Commonwealth Games trials ranked third in Australia but rose to the occasion to place second in 13.14 behind Pearson. In early March 2018, she competed at her second IAAF World Indoor Championships, progressing to the semi-final in the 60m hurdles. Jenneke’s personal best of 12.82 was set in 2015 in Brisbane.
Brianna Beahan (WA) has enjoyed a career-best domestic season that commenced with quick runs over the flat 100m of 11.53w and 11.47w. Just after Christmas, she set a new personal best of 13.02 in her pet event and then at the trials ran 13.05 followed by 13.16 in the final to place third behind Pearson and Jenneke.
Women’s 400m hurdles
Two-time Olympic hurdler Lauren Wells (ACT) will have a medal at the Gold Coast Games square in her sights. The 11-time national champion missed a medal in 2010 by a mere 0.25 seconds and in 2014 by 0.45 seconds.
This domestic season Wells clocked her best time for nearly two years when she ran 55.78 at the ACT Championships in January. Her personal best of 55.08 set in Belgium in 2013, makes her the third-fastest Australian in history behind Hurdling Golden Girls Debbie Flintoff-King and Jana Pittman.
Wells takes on a rare event combination as she becomes the first Australian to double in the 400m hurdles and long jump. Pam Ryan won the sprint hurdles and competed in the long jump when she competed in four events (100y, 80m hurdles, 4x110y, long jump) at the 1966 Games.
Eilidh Doyle (SCO) is favourite for the 400m hurdles title and will be beaming with pride when she takes to the start line at Carrara Stadium. The Glasgow silver medallist was recently named as the flag bearer for Scotland and arrives on the Gold Coast in fine form.
The 31-year-old claimed her first-ever individual global medal by claiming bronze over 400m flat at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Birmingham earlier this year in a quick 51.50. Her personal best over 400m hurdles of 54.09 was recorded in Monaco in 2016.
Men’s 110m hurdles
Nick Hough (NSW) won his fourth national title in March before heading off to the IAAF World indoors in Birmingham and progressed to the semi-final with a time of 7.76, which was just outside the Australian record.
The Sydneysider ran a stunning 13.42 at the 2015 national championships which made him the number two Australian all-time behind Kyle Vander Kuyp (Vic) and was the fastest by an Australian for over 18 years.
His best this season came at the NSW Championships in February when he ran a wind-aided 13.51.
England's Andrew Pozzi will be the heavy favourite arriving on the Gold Coast having recently captured the 60m hurdles crown in the IAAF World Indoor Championships. Jamaican Hansle Parchment, was the Rio bronze medallist and is sure to feature here too. Compatriot and Olympic champion Omar McLeod s not taking part in the Games.
Men’s 400m hurdles
Ian Dewhurst (NSW) has had a solid domestic season with performances of 49.83 in December and then 49.80 in February. With the latter time, he defended his national title and goes to his second Games and is keen to improve
His personal best of 49.52 makes him the 11th fastest Australian in history which he set in the lead-up to the 2014 Games.
Looking to get amongst the medals are England ‘s duo Jack Green, the 2017 British Champ, and Jacob Paul who clocked 49.80 and 49.96 respectively at the Queensland International Track Classic last week.
Former world 400m hurdles champion, Nicholas Bett, is the man to beat as the Kenyan arrives on the Gold Coast fresh off a 48.88 win in Pretoria. That
Pat Birgan and David Tarbotton for AA
Statistics and superlatives courtesy David Tarbotton
Follow all the action of the XXI Commonwealth Games
The 2018 Commonwealth Games will be held on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, from Wednesday 4 April to Sunday 15 April 2018.
Athletics action kicks off on Sunday 8 April and continues until Sunday 15 April.
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- Media Guide for 2018 Commonwealth Games (PDF)
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The Seven Network will broadcast content on all three of their TV channels - 7, 7TWO and 7Mate.
You can download the 7CommGames app from both the Google Play and Apple store or watch via the website version.
The app and website will have all events on TV and every medal event live, in full and available for free.
Athletics will be hosted by a huge team of athletics specialist led by Bruce McAvaney and include Lord Sebastian Coe, Dave Culbert, Steve Hooker, Tamsyn Lewis.
With Pat Welsh trackside and Melinda Gainsford-Taylor and Jane Flemming providing additional commentary.
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Karen Tighe will host the broadcast with Quentin Hill covering Athletics along with Australia’s fastest man, Patrick Johnson providing expert commentary.