MIDWEEK PREVIEW | ZAGREB: 70th Hanžeković Memorial

MIDWEEK PREVIEW | ZAGREB: 70th Hanžeković Memorial

Six Australians will feature in the Hanžeković Memorial overnight in Zagreb, Croatia.

The meet is set to be the 70th instalment of the Hanžeković Memorial, making it Croatia’s oldest sporting event and now part of the Continental Gold Tour.

Peter Bol, Joseph Deng, Ryan Gregson, Nicola McDermott, Stewart McSweyn and Matthew Ramsden will all be in action as they look to add some polish to already successful European seasons.

Men’s 800m (4:25am AEST):

The Justin Rinaldi coached duo of Peter Bol and Joseph Deng will be fresh and raring to go in the 800m after a break away from racing.

The pair are now experienced and proven campaigners on the European circuit and after having landed themselves in a slick field here with races under their belt, the stars might just align.

Bol’s season opener of 1:44.96 fresh off the plane in Monaco one month ago was the second fastest time of his career and a firm indicator that his personal best of 1:44.56 was under threat.

It hasn’t quite happened yet, with the Olympian running three times since and registering varying results in chaotic fields.

Deng put in a much improved performance in Poland when running 1:45.86 to finish in third place ahead of Bol in fourth, and finding an extra gear in the home straight might just be the last piece of the puzzle.

The Australian record holder last raced on the 19th of August and appears ready to return to the action in Zagreb.

Barring the pacemaker, all 12 men in the field have run 1:44 or faster, granting the Australians an opportunity to work on their racing craft and potentially get dragged to a fast time in a quality field.

Men’s 1500m (3:45am AEST):

From the metric mile to the 5000m our Australian men have been a force to be reckoned with overseas this season.

And if you focussed only on the clock then you might have missed some exceptional racing.

Stewart McSweyn reminded everyone just how good he is when he threw down the gauntlet to Timothy Cheruiyot and Jakob Ingebrigtsen in Stockholm over 1500m, registering a 3:31.48 to set a new personal best and avoid running 3:31.81 a third time.

His trademark range has also been a prominent feature of his season, with a 13:09.83 5000m in Gothenburg demonstrating his class, especially off limited racing this year.

Behind McSweyn in Gothenburg clocking 13:16.63 was the name on everyone’s lips in 2020, Matthew Ramsden.

Ramsden has had a breakout season in the most unlikely of years and is one man who will be relishing the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics.

The West Australian has won two races on tour so far, including a 4:55.44 2000m (2nd Australian all time), and a 3:51.23 mile in Italy where he took some scalps.

Most recently he registered a 3:35.23 personal best over 1500m in Ostrava, but it’s one you suspect will be updated shortly, with Ramsden’s performances suggesting another breakthrough could be imminent.

Among all this Ryan Gregson has flown under the radar. After being one of Australia’s most consistent performers for over a decade, it’s no surprise he is right on the pace. 

“I’ve run 3:35 a few times so far this season and I’m happy with the consistency, however I do feel an improvement is just around the corner,” he said.

The national record holder was full of praise for his Melbourne Track Club teammates, recognising the serious form they are in.

“Stewy [McSwenyn] and Rambo [Ramsden] are in a purple patch and I wouldn’t put limits on what they can do right now,” he said.

“Obviously no one wants their record broken, however those two boys have the ability and nothing would surprise me.”

Nic Bideau has his trio entered in the 3000m at the Rome Diamond League just two days later on September 17, an opportunity Gregson is looking forward to.

“Recovering before the 3000m will involve simple recovery measures; sleep, protein, carbohydrates, massages, all that stuff,” he said.

“I do enjoy the longer distances and I feel I can improve more there than the shorter distances so I would like to continue to race longer every now and then, however my priority will stay the 1500m.” 

On paper the Australians have the majority of the field covered in Zagreb, providing a good opportunity for them to dictate terms and hopefully fill the podium.

Women’s High Jump (3:25am AEST):

Nicola McDermott’s European season has mustered some serious momentum.

To date, McDermott has cleared a new personal best of 1.98m, along with winning a Wanda Diamond League meet.

McDermott’s new best of 1.98m brings her within 1cm of Eleanor Patterson’s national record, a  feat that will no doubt be driving her in Zagreb.

Whilst the star high jumper is a long way from home and competing in largely empty stadiums, she is determined to do Australia proud.

“Thank you for my team and supporters, it’s an honour to represent you on the world stage!” she said.

McDermott has shown a capacity to mix it with the best high jumpers in the world this season and will be looking to string together some consistent performances leading into Tokyo next year.

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By: Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 15 September 2020