University athletes celebrated with ceremonial selection

Athletics Australia (AA) wishes to recognise and celebrate the 44 athletes selected as part of the Australian Ceremonial Team for the 2022 FISU World University Games that were due to be held in Chengdu, China in June.

The World University Games are a key stepping-stone for many of Australia’s Olympic and World Championships representatives, with the multi-sport environment providing athletes with crucial international experience. The Games also encourage student-athletes from around the world to combine high performance sport with their intellectual pursuits. 

Following the postponement of the Games due to safety concerns, AA announced it would still select a team, honouring athletes with Australian competition kit in recognition of their achievements. 

Athletics Australia General Manger, High Performance Andrew Faichney said that despite the disappointment of athletes not being able to compete at the World University Games, it was important to recognise the milestone for Olympians, Australian representatives and debutants alike. 

“Being selected to an Australian team is an honour and a privilege for any athlete regardless of their experience, and to be selected for a World University Games team is a particularly prestigious feat,” Faichney said.

“While it is incredibly disappointing that the World University Games have been postponed again, we hope this recognition is reward for their efforts, and a way to keep athletes motivated as they strive towards their next goal.”

Athletics Australia is awaiting details regarding the rescheduling of this year’s edition of the Games and how the rescheduled dates will affect individuals who meet maximum age and study requirements.

Many athletes selected as part of the ceremonial team will participate in a self-funded invitational tour of Europe in late July for added competition experience. 

Australian Ceremonial Team – 2022 World University Games

MEN
100m                    Jake Doran (Q, Paul di Bella, James Cook University), Joshua Azzopardi (N, Rob Marks, Australian College of Physical Education)
200m                    Jake Doran, Joshua Azzopardi
400m                    Cameron Searle (V, Bradley Carter, Victoria University)
800m                    Jack Lunn (Q, Steve Fabris, Monash University)
1500m                 Matthew Ramsden (W, Nic Bideau, Deakin University), Callum Davies (Q, Collis Birmingham, University of Queensland)
5000m                 Matthew Ramsden, Isaac Heyne (S, Adam Didyk, University of SA)
Half Marathon    Tim Vincent (Q, Jackson Elliott, Queensland University of Technology)
110m Hurdles     Sam Hurwood (Q, Rajeev Balakrishnan, The University of Queensland), Jacob McCorry (Q, Sally Pearson, Macquarie University)
Pole Vault            Angus Armstrong (W, Paul Burgess, University of Western Australia)
Long Jump           Liam Adcock (Q, Gary Bourne, The University of Queensland), Zane Branco (Q, David Reid, Griffith University)
Triple jump          Ayo Ore (V, Alwyn Jones, The University of Melbourne), Julian Konle (Q, Gary Bourne, Curtin University)
Shot Put               Alexander Kolesnikoff (N, David Bruce, Harvard University)
Javelin Throw       Cameron McEntyre (N, Angus McEntyre, Macquarie University) 
Decathlon            Alec Diamond (N, Zsuzsanna Olgyay-Zsabo, Australian Catholic University), Christian Paynter (V, Zach Nelson, RMIT Melbourne)
20km Walk          Declan Tingay (W, Steven Tingay, University of Western Australia) Kyle Swan (V, Jared Tallent, University of Melbourne), Will Thompson (V, Brent Vallance, Australian Catholic University)
4x100m relay     Jake Doran, Joshua Azzopardi, Zane Branco, Chris Ius (N, Andrew Murphy, The University of Sydney)

WOMEN
100m                  Celeste Mucci (V, Darren Clark, Australian University of the Arts), Kristie Edwards (Q, David Reid, University of Technology, Sydney)
200m                  Jacinta Beecher (Q, Gary Bourne, Queensland University of Technology), Kristie Edwards
800m                  Imogen Barrett (V, Chris Solisnky, University of Florida)
1500m               Holly Campbell (N, Jeremy Roff, University of Sydney), Abbey Caldwell (V, Gavin Burren, Deakin University)
5000m               Rose Davies (N, Scott Westcott, University of Newcastle), Lauren Ryan (V, Bob Braham)
10,000m            Caitlin Adams (S, Adam Didyk, University of South Australia), Rose Davies
100m H              Celeste Mucci
3000m SC          Georgia Winkcup (N, Ben Liddy, University of NSW), Cara Feain-Ryan (Q, Ben Norton, The University of Queensland)
Pole Vault           Nina Kennedy (W, Paul Burgess, Notre Dame University Fremantle)
Long Jump         Samantha Dale (N, Andrew Murphy, Australian College of Physical Education), Jessie Harper (Q, Gary Bourne, The University of Queensland)
Triple Jump        Desleigh Owusu (N, Andrew Murphy, Macquarie University)
Discus Throw     Lyvante Su’emai (Q, Faitala Junior Su'emai, University of California Los Angeles)
Hammer Throw    Alexander Hulley (N, Karyne Di Marco, Australian Catholic University)
Javelin Throw      Mackenzie Little (N, Angus McEntyre, University of Sydney), Alexandra Roberts (Q, Ben Thomson, Griffith University)
20km Walk          Rebecca Henderson (V, Simon Baker, Monash University), Clara Smith (Q, Nicola Fagan, University of Queensland)

By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 31/5/2022