Last hit out in Cairns skyrockets confidence ahead of Tokyo

Australia’s Tokyo-bound track and field athletes have competed for the last time before the Olympic Games begin, with world class results at the Coral Coast Carnival in Cairns bolstering the team’s confidence in the days leading into Tokyo.

Linden Hall put her international rivals on notice when running a stunning 4:00.00 in the Mixed 1500m Invitational. With only pacer Harry Biggs, Abbey Caldwell (Gavin Burren) and Georgia Griffith (Stephen Ellinghaus) up against her in the scorching hot sun, Hall was able to run her second fastest time, and a time that only 9 others including herself have dipped below this year.

Despite aiming to rub sub four minutes once again after becoming the first Australian woman to break the barrier in April this year, Hall said her performance in Cairns has given her confidence for what’s to come when she toes the line in Tokyo on Monday, August 2.

“The wind wasn’t very kind, but it was nice and warm and it was great to have Harry who paced beautifully, as well as Abbey and Georgia making it feel more like a race. I haven’t run the 1500m since Nationals so it was nice to dip the toes in and remember what it feels like before Tokyo,” Hall said.

“The time was my second fastest I’ve ever run and I can’t ask for much more than that going into the Olympics, particularly given it was on a windy afternoon in Cairns. It’s no Tokyo or Nationals so a little bit of an event in a few weeks’ time and some of the world’s best girls will help me get a few more seconds. I’m pretty excited.”

Kurtis Marschall (Paul Burgess and James Fitzpatrick) lead the charge for Australia’s pole vault contingent in Australia's tropical north, nearing his personal best with a clearance of 5.80m. While Marschall wasn’t able to clear 5.85m, he cleared 5.80m on his first attempt which will no doubt give him high hopes for his second Olympic Games appearance in two weeks’ time.

Also in the men’s pole vault, decathlete Ash Moloney (Eric Brown) scored himself a new personal when clearing 5.05m. The result is a 5cm addition to the 21-year-old’s previous personal best set in 2019, and a staggering 15cm better than his previous season’s best. Coupled with a 7.72m (2.1) leap in the men’s long jump yesterday, the Australian and Oceania record holder has continued to prove he has much more to give as he looks ahead to his senior team debut in Tokyo.

Tacking to the track in the 100m was Australia’s fastest man Rohan Browning (Andrew Murphy) who ran not once but twice over a two hour period yesterday for his last attempt at running sub 10 before the Olympic Games. Storming down the straight, Browning ran 10.08 (+2.1) and 10.15 (+1.2), with his first attempt being his 7^th sub 10.10 performance. Only Australian record holder Patrick Johnson has run sub 10.10 more than Browning, with eight performances to his name.

Liz Clay (Sharon Hannan) continued to show off her dominance in the 100m hurdles, crossing the line in 12.73 (0.9) - just 0.01 behind her personal best. Not quite a time trial, Clay had compatriot Moloney push her along, when running 12.95m over 103m.

In other results, Kendra Hubbard (John Nicolosi) produced a standout performance in the 400m, with a new personal best of 53.23. Hubbard defeated Olympic 4x400m relay teammates Angeline Blackburn (53.23) and Ellie Beer (Brett Robinson) who placed third in a time of 53.85.

Elizaveta Parnova (Paul Burgess and James Fitzpatrick) continued to make inroads in the women’s pole vault, clearing the bar with ease at 4.55m. Parnova made three gutsy attempts at 4.65m, but was unable to clear the bar at that height.  

Cedric Dubler (Eric Brown) continued to build towards the decathlon competition in Tokyo, with a season’s best performance of 13.25m in the men’s shot put.

For full results, visit: http://liveresults.qldathletics.org.au/ANQ/2021/210717_coralcoast/index.htm

By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 18/7/2021