Holder harvests silver as Diamond clinches bronze | World University Games
Published Fri 04 Aug 2023
The rising stars of Australian track and field have stamped their authority on global athletics, with Reece Holder and Alec Diamond claiming the first medals for the Australian UniRoos at the 2023 World University Games overnight.
Queenslander Reece Holder (Queensland University of Technology, Sharon and Chris Dale) etched his name into the history books in China, securing a brilliant silver in the Men’s 400m, a meet record and an Olympic qualifier to match.
Blazing around one lap of the track, the Queensland University of Technology student clocked a swift 44.79 to firmly establish himself as Australia’s fifth-fastest quarter miler of all time and the fastest Australian over the distance in 17 years.
In a photo finish thriller, only 0.003 seconds separated the 20-year-old from the coveted gold, eventually won by Portugal’s Joao Ricardo Agostinho Coelho.
“It’s great to come out this season injury free and run four PBs in three months. I knew I was capable of good times but today exceeded all my expectations," Holder said.
"I am grateful for my support team especially both my coaches, Sharon and Chris and my family."
Claiming his second consecutive medal at the World University Games, Alec Diamond (Australian Catholic University, Zsuzsanna Olgyay-Szabo) took bronze after ten events of the decathlon. Scoring a total of 7812 points, the Commonwealth Games representative said he was proud to clinch third place, despite having gone into day two with a 39 point lead.
“Despite not being one medal better than last time, it’s great to come away with another medal,” Diamond said.
Over the 10 events, Diamond achieved three season best performances including the 100m (10.99), 400m (48.77) and High Jump (1.96m), but was unable to hold the lead over the latter five events. The Australian was eventually defeated Czech Republic’s Vilem Stratsky, who claimed gold with 7925 points as well as Edgaras Benkunskas (LTU) who totalled 7879 points over the competition.
“There are some really positive signs heading into the next season. Thanks for the continued support from my coach Zsuzsa and everyone else that has helped me along the way.”
A duo of Australian triple jumpers made their presence known in the men’s final, as Connor Murphy (Sydney University, Andrew Murphy) and Aiden Hinson (Deakin University, Chloe Stevens) claimed fourth and seventh place respectively at their major championships debut.
While Murphy fell just short of a place on the podium, his mark of 16.40m (0.0) saw him achieve his third jump best of his career as he continues to follow in the footsteps of his father and coach, three-time Olympic triple jumper Andrew Murphy. Hinson, who is gunning for a spot on the Australian team travelling to the World Athletics Championships in Budapest was consistent in his six-jump series, landing a best of 16.04m on his fifth attempt.
One hop, step and a jump was all it took Desleigh Owusu (Sydney University, Andrew Murphy) to qualify for the Women’s Triple Jump final. Leaping to 13.08 (-0.3) on her first attempt, Owusu qualified fourth in her group and 10th overall.
Liam Cashin (Peter Burke, Victoria University) continued the momentum of his breakthrough year, with his sixth fastest time in the Men’s 3000m Steeplechase, when crossing the line eighth 8:55.38. With five personal best times this year and seven of his all-time ten best performances seized upon in 2023, Cashin will leave China eyeing off more in 2024.
Two Australian hurdlers are through to the semi final, with training partners Emily Britton (Mick Zisti, Australian Catholic University) and Imogen Breslin (Mick Zisti, Macquarie University) both securing the Big Q in their respective heats. Clocking almost identical times, Britton torched her way over the sticks in 13.38 (+0.5) to finish second in Heat 2, while Breslin snuck in third in Heat 3 marginally faster in 13.37 (+1.1).
Three of the country’s fastest sprinters have advanced through to the semi finals of the 200m, with Kristie Edwards (David Reid, Charles Sturt University) and Carla Bull (Brett Robinson, Griffith University) flying through the women’s heats. Edwards was first across the line in Heat 4, clocking 23.60 while Bull cruised around the bend and down the home straight in 23.64, setting herself up well for tomorrow’s semi final.
Coming back for his second event of the championships, Christopher Ius (Andrew Murphy, University of Sydney) was untroubled in the Men’s 200m heats, stopping the clock at 21.01 as he finished first in his heat. Ius finished 10th overall, putting him in good stead amongst the 24 sprinters who have qualified for the semi final.
Holly Campbell (Jeremy Roffy, University of Sydney) rounded out the Australian action on Day 3 of competition with a victory in the second heat of the Women’s 5000m, clocking 16:42.45 for her second fastest time over the distance.
Day Four will begin at 11am, as Australia’s heptathletes look to emulate Diamond’s success, while Olympian Georgia Winkcup and World Championships representative Cara Feain-Ryan line up for the Women’s 3000m Steeplechase. Catch the action at www.FISU.tv.
By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 4/8/2023
