Junior race walkers find silver lining upon international debut
Published Fri 04 Mar 2022
Australia’s future in racing walking is looking bright, with the Australian women’s Under 20 team claiming silver at the 2022 World Athletics Race Walking Championships in Muscat, Oman this afternoon.
The Australian contingent comprising of South Australian teen Olivia Sandery (Bob Cruise and Jared Tallent) and the Victorian duo of Allanah Pitcher (Frank Overton) and Alanna Peart (Jared Tallent) lined up amongst the world’s best in their age group in the 10km race.
In the junior events for the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships, athletes compete as individuals, with the placings of the country’s first two athletes across the line added together to form the final team result. The nation with the lowest point score wins the Championships, and in the women’s Under 20 10km it was China that clinched gold, with Spain following behind Australia to claim bronze.
Sandery, who went to Muscat with the world leading time produced the fastest time for the Australians in the women’s event, crossing the line in 5th place in 49:01, with compatriot Pitcher cementing Australia’s silver status with a top 8 finish and a 49:51 performance. 2021 Australian 10km race walking champion Peart narrowly missed out on a place in the top 10, clocking 50:47 to finish in 13th place.
Although amongst the favourites to win gold, the Australians were in for a competitive race, with all top 8 athletes finishing in under 50 minutes. In the lead from the gun, Sandery walked consistently in the lead pack and found herself within the top five at every split.
It wasn’t until the fourth lap of the two-kilometre circuit, that the 19-year-old slipped out of medal contention, falling fifteen seconds behind eventual gold medal winner - China’s Jiang Yunyan. The second of the Chinese duo, Jiang Jinyan placed second in 48:03, whilst Finnish athlete Heta Veikkola completed the individual podium in 48:11.
It wasn’t until the fourth lap of the two-kilometre circuit, that the 19-year-old slipped out of medal contention, falling fifteen seconds behind eventual gold medal winner - China’s Jiang Yunyan. The second of the Chinese duo, Jiang Jinyan placed second in 48:03, whilst Finnish athlete Heta Veikkola completed the individual podium in 48:11.
“It’s so crazy. I knew we had a good chance but at the end of the day, it’s the first international competition for all of us and we were just out here to have fun and do our best, so the medal is a great cherry on top,” Pitcher said.
“To get to represent our country for the first time and do it here in Oman with two other girls in my race and in a team environment was so great. It makes it more fun to do it together, because generally it’s a very individual sport. It’s special to be able to share the moment, and it’s cool being able to represent all the people back home that made it possible for us to be here,” Peart said.
Sandery said it was an exciting experience being able to lead in the front throughout the race and to place well within the top eight upon her debut.
“I’m very excited. I was hoping to be near the front but to finish in the top five is very exciting,” Sandery said.
“Something I’ll take away is the experience of it all, as well as racing against girls from other countries. It was good to get my foot in the door and get the race done. It sets us up well for the rest of the year and next year as well. Hopefully there will be some more big races to come.”
Fraser Saunder (Daryl Biggin) and Marcus Wakim (Adam Garganis) led the charge for the Australian men in the Under 20 10km event, with the pairing placing 15th (47:38) and 21st respectively (49:21) in their international debut.
The 2022 World Athletics Race Walking Championships continue tonight. The Women's 20km event featuring Australian Clara Smith (Nicole Fagan) will begin at 11pm AEDT.
By Sascha Ryner and Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 4/3/2022
