PREVIEW | Australian Track and Field Championships – Day 5

It’s set to be a big day of track and field action on day five of the Australian Championships, with Australia’s elite Open age athletes ready to stake their claim for Olympic and Paralympic berths. 

Men’s Decathlon: 

The Men’s Decathlon will see Ashley Moloney (QLD) fight to retain his lead over the last five events on day two. With 259 points separating Moloney and Cedric Dubler (QLD) in third place, the competition remains an intriguing one, with both racing to secure their Olympic berth. Moloney drew first blood on day one when winning the 100m, 400m and long jump events, whilst Dubler took out the high jump with a leap of 2.09m. Little separates the two in the back half of the program, but expect Moloney to come out firing in the 110m hurdles.  

Men’s 1500m Ambulant: 

New Australian recorder holder Deon Kenzie (TAS) is edging closer to the world record and has been a pleasure to watch this season. The 2017 world champion has been in tremendous form and became the first Australian athlete with cerebral palsy to break 4 minutes when running 3:58.43, before bettering that with a 3:55.09 performance. Sam Harding (ACT) who was selected to compete at the London 2012 Paralympics has narrowly missed selection for Australian teams on several occasions, but has been knocking on the door of the Paralympic A standard all season, registering multiple B qualifiers. 

Women’s Discus: 

Dani Stevens (QLD) will continue her quest for an Olympic qualifier, with the 2009 world champion showing no signs of a recent injury that threatened her career. Stevens threw 63.36m last month and recorded wins at both Sydney and Canberra Track Classics. Two juniors who will be looking to follow in Stevens’ footsteps are Lyvante Su’emai (QLD) and Marley Raikiwasa (SA), who finished in first and second place respectively in the Under 20 event. Both threw World Under 20 qualifiers and will look to take the next step in the Open competition. 

Women’s 800m: 

Catriona Bisset (VIC) has had her name written all over this event for a number of years, but her biggest challenge will come in the form of 15-year-old Victorian Claudia Hollingsworth. Bisset most recently ran her second Olympic qualifier – a 1:59.12 at the Queensland Track Classic. In that very race, Hollingsworth clocked 2:01.60 to consolidate just how talented she is – a time that places her in elite company for her age group on a global scale. Expect both to ease their way around two laps in the heats before progressing to set up an enticing final. 

Men’s 800m:

Peter Bol (VIC) looked immaculate in his heat, loping down the home straight in the most convincing fashion possible. With the first five athletes across the line in each of the four heats, there were no casualties among the big names ahead of yesterday’s semi finals. Jeff Riseley (VIC) looked strong in his heat, whilst Jack Lunn (VIC) didn’t spend much in his encounter. The performance from Luke Mathews (VIC) was more resemblant of what Australian athletics fans have come to expect, gliding his way around the two-lap journey in 1:51. Jared Micalef (QLD) also looked superb when winning his heat. 

Men’s 1500m:

Stewart McSweyn (VIC) headlines the blockbuster affair which features former Australian record holder Ryan Gregson (VIC), Matthew Ramsden (WA) and rising star Jye Edwards (NSW). McSweyn is in rare company on the world stage and will relish the opportunity to practice championship racing – don’t expect an athlete of his caliber to leave things to chance. Ramsden has an Olympic qualifier locked away and will be racing in his trademark tenacious manner in pursuit of the win, along with Gregson who recently posted a much improved 3:36.72. Gregson boasts a wealth of experience and will punish any mistakes made by his competitors. Edwards has been the form runner of the season and will be well respected in the field as a major threat, as the 24-year-old continues his resurgence to the elite level. Expect all four to progress through the heats with ease, and keep an eye out for young guns Callum Davies (QLD/3:38.89) and Adam Spencer (VIC/3:39.94). Jaryd Clifford (VIC) will also toe the line and if he can navigate his way to the final, keep your eyes on the clock for his own world record of 3:41.34.

Men’s U18 100m: 

Ashley Wong (QLD) is officially on a redemption mission. Widely considered the only man who could beat Calab Law (QLD) over 200m, Wong’s fate was decided in the heat when he was disqualified post event for a lane infringement. The Queenslander gets another chance in the U18 Men’s 100m, where he will be extremely hard to beat. Can Wong finally get his hands on that gold medal? 

Others to watch:

Brooke Stratton (VIC) will continue her search for the Olympic standard in the Women’s Long Jump, after showing promising signs throughout the back half of the season. Stratton is confident in the shape she is in and just needs to piece to together on the day to leap into areas we have seen she is more than capable of reaching. 

Jack Boulton (VIC) returns to his true Under 18 age group after dabbling in the Under 20 400m where he took home the bronze medal in a strong field, such is the class of the young man. Boulton has been running World Under 20 qualifiers for fun and barring bad luck will get his hands on the gold medal in this event. 

Rosemary Little (VIC) and Maria Strong (VIC) will compete in the Shot Put Secured event. Little is a two-time Paralympian but is yet to secure the Paralympic A standard, having missed it by 1cm recently. Strong has two qualifiers to her name and is the Oceania record holder, having finished 5th at the World Championships in 2019. 

Lucinda Rourke (VIC) will be a warm favourite when toeing the line in the Women’s Under 18 1500m, having clocked a World Under 20 qualifier and mixing it with the nation’s best at the Melbourne Track Classic last month. 

Will Thompson (VIC) will make his way around 25 laps of the track in the grueling 10,000m Race Walk, but the young gun is no stranger to the event – with three World Under 20 qualifiers to his name already. Thompson leads a talented crop of race walking stocks progressing through the ranks, and is likely to do exactly that tonight.
 

By Lachlan Moorhouse
Posted: 16/4/2021