Starc throws everything but the kitchen sink at Lysenko in Madrid
Published Sat 23 Jun 2018
![](https://cdn.revolutionise.com.au/cups/aa/files/1630.jpg)
Australians Brandon Starc, Linden Hall, Ryan Gregson, Jordan
In a stunning return to form, Starc (NSW) placed second on a countback, clearing 2.30m, and challenged 2.38m jumper Danil Lysenko (ANA), whilst Peacock placed third in the javelin.
Starc, the Commonwealth champion, found himself in a field containing six athletes
Lysenko kept a clean card throughout the competition, clearing 2.30m on his first attempt. Starc indicated immediately that he hadn’t travelled to Madrid to simply go through the motions, clearing 2.30m on his third attempt.
The Alex Stewart-trained Starc failed twice at 2.32m whilst Lysenko passed the height, contemplating a third attempt at 2.32m, Starc threw the proverbial kitchen sink at Lysenko, taking a gallant final attempt at 2.34m, bowing out of the competition having pressured the Russian Diamond League regular.
Stewart took to social media to share how proud he was of his charge and “a very mature performanceâ€.
In the men's javelin, Tasmanian Hamish Peacock placed third as the Commonwealth Games silver medallist on the Gold Coast threw 77.06m behind Poland's Marcin Krukowski winning throw of 79.23m.
In the middle distances, Hall was back in action for the first time since Stockholm nearly two weeks ago
Hall faced a strong field featuring Gudaf Tsegay (ETH), who ranks second globally this year, following a 3:57.64 clocking in Stockholm. In a European season without a major championship, Madrid provided a competitive environment in which Hall could continue to gain exposure in fast races. The Madrid field passed through 400m, 800m and 1200m in 63-64 second laps, as Tsegay took first in a meet record of 3:59.60.
An encouraging training block followed Hall’s Stockholm Diamond League appearance, “I've had some solid track sessions since Stockholm and we're very happy with how things are tracking. Tonight was my first race in a string of meets I've got lined up over the next month - I'm pretty excited to get into, it's been a long wait since Stockholm.â€
Recognised internationally as 1500m specialists, Gregson and
Gregson’s last individual 800m came in 2015 in Auckland, with a personal best of 1:46.04 set in Melbourne in 2010, the return to two-laps sharpened the 28-year old’s speed.
With the second half of the European circuit looming large, Gregson continued to build momentum in Madrid, following a strong 3:37.68 1500m victory at the Bern Citius Meeting in Switzerland.
“The altitude training camp our coach Nic Bideau has set up is one of the best ones yet. It’s got all the things we need to get some quality work done. It’s hot, remote and the running is challenging, but most importantly, the environment Nic has been able to set up within the group is really good.
Sean Whipp for Athletics Australia