Law Clinches Bronze on Day 4 in Cali

Australia has won its first medal at the 2022 World Athletics Under 20 Championships, with 18-year-old Calab Law claiming bronze in the 200m in a time of 20.48-seconds to lead the nation’s most talented juniors on day four in Cali, Colombia.

Entering the bout ranked seventh despite a personal best of 20.42 in the semi-final, Law’s chances were not aided by an uncharacteristically slow start. The Australian rallied to hit top gear and charge to third place, only topped by an equal championship record of 19.96 from Blessing Akawasi Afrifah (Israel) and Letsile Tebogo (Botswana).

“I was so tempted to look over my shoulder because I didn’t really feel anybody up next to me. I knew the two boys were up in front, but I was not sure at all – I had to wait to see my name up there,” Law said.

“The medal for me is like another step, it’s the next level. When I get into my Open season I will be better than ever.”

The result came to the elation of both Law and the Australian Team, who had come close to the podium with Mitchell Lightfoot (fourth) and Tayleb Willis (equal fifth) in the 110m Hurdles on day three - now receiving a much-needed boost ahead of the final two days of competition.

“Everyone is going to be a bit more up and energised because they know we can do it. We could have done it in every single event so far, but we are here now,” Law said.

A proud indigenous man from the Wakka Wakka tribe, Law’s success adds a fresh page to a rich chapter of Australian athletics history, with Law well on his way to etching his own name alongside track and field royalty.

“My favourite sprinter ever is Cathy Freeman. She was the best – so smooth, so relaxed, so long. I always try to replicate the way that she runs but she is too perfect,” Law said.

“My aunty was an amazing sprinter, Aunty Karla, she coached me when I was 12 [years-old]. They are all indigenous Wakka Wakka, my tribe is from North Queensland and they would all be really happy – they were watching me on the big screen,” Law said.

Olympian and 2019 World Athletics Championships representative Ellie Beer added to the Australian success in the session, finishing in seventh place of the Women’s 400m Final in a time of 52.82. The result off the back of a 52.55 performance in the semi-finals, with the 19-year-old rediscovering the form that has long had her touted as a star of the future.

“I just want to stay out there because its such a good atmosphere. I honestly was a bit tired going out there but I gave it all I got and I couldn’t be any more proud of my result – not without the help of so many people back home, here and everywhere around the world,” Beer said.

“Hopefully next season I can smash out some more 52’s and get my forever goal of getting a 51, I’m super proud of this season.”

Beer is headed for a well-earned break, but not without assisting the Women’s 4x400m team to cap off her Cali campaign.

After thunderstorms saw the Women’s Pole Vault Final postponed to Day 4, Cassidy Bradshaw (Chris Bradshaw) returned this morning to clear 3.95m and finish in 13^th place. Relieved of any pressure after achieving her goal of making the final, the second height of 4.10m in the progression proved a stretch too far.

The Australian Under 20 Women’s 4x100m Relay team of Aleksandra Stoilova (), Olivia Rose Inkster (Katie Edwards & Melinda Gainsford-Taylor), Hayley Reynolds (Andrew Lulham Taylah Cruttenden (Braiden Clarke) are headed for tomorrow’s final after automatic qualification in a time of 44.83.

Running in a new order, the quartet charged into the final when narrowly missing the Australian Under 20 record of 44.78 – a mark they will be out to lower tomorrow.

“There is definitely room for improvement but that’s something we will work on for the final. Hopefully we can break that Australian record, whether that means a medal or not – I’m sure we will be happy with a fast time,” Reynolds said.

At 17-years-old and 16-years-old respectively, Erin Shaw (Jack McArdle) and Toby Stolberg (Theresa Stolberg) are bound for the Women’s High Jump Final after 1.80m clearances in qualifying to secure their place the field of 12.

Shaw was flawless in qualifying with a clean sheet, while Stolberg had just the one error at 1.80m, setting up an enticing final featuring two Australian women – a familiar sight in the global scene.

“I didn’t even realise what was happening at the end when I made the final, I was so confused. It was so fun with the crowd and everything, I definitely want to get a personal best at the final,” Stolberg said.

Australia will have two men in the 800m Semi-Finals in Cali after Charlie Jeffreson (Penny Gillies) and Luke Boyes (Ben St Lawrence) booked their second-round berths the easy way with automatic qualifiers in the heats. 

A smile from Jeffreson to his Australian teammates as he glided his way around lane two after the bell was enough to suggest that he was feeling good, with the suspicion soon confirmed as the 17-year-old coasted to second place in 1:51.69.

Boyes found himself driving a train of the world’s best junior 800m men, defending his position over the final lap to secure equal third place in his heat in a time of 1:50.49 – narrowly outside his 1:50.12 career best.

A big day on paper got even bigger for Olivia Rose Inkster (Katie Edwards & Melinda Gainsford-Taylor) when advancing to the 200m Semi-Finals, with the Women’s 4x100m Heats sandwiched between her half lap efforts on Day 4.

Finishing eighth place of Semi-Final 2 in a time of 23.97 (+0.2), Inkster was content with the day having originally been selected in the relay before adjusting her schedule due to withdrawals.

“I had some fun today! It was a long day so I’m happy that it’s done, but I’m excited for the relay final tomorrow. It’s been such a good opportunity and experience,” Inkster said.

Georgia Harris (Paul Pearce) did not progress from the first round after clocking 24.06 (0.0) for sixth place in Heat 3.

Stanford-bound Nicola Hogg (Ben Liddy) was brave in launching a finals bid when racing with the leaders for much of her first-round 1500m bout, before fading in the closing stages to clock 4:28.53 for eighth place in Heat 3. Lucinda Rourke (Craig Mottram) did not progress after clocking 4:39.10 in Heat 1. 

Delta Amidzovski (Roger Fabri) and Emilia Surch (Glynis Nunn) were unable to advance from the first round of the 100m Hurdles, both finding barrier trouble with Amidzovski clocking 14.47 (+0.3) to finish seventh, and Surch being disqualified (TR22.6.2).

The Men’s 4x100m Relay team of Lachlan Kennedy (Russel Hansen), Connor Bond (Mick Zisti), Ryan Tarrant (Adam Larcom), and Aidan Murphy (Peter Fitzgerald) came within one change of being a genuine medal contender in tomorrow’s final, but an error entering the home straight saw them fail to finish their heat.

By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 4/8/2022