Australia recorded one of its strongest ever team performances at the World Athletics Championships, headlined by gold medals to Kelsey-Lee Barber and Eleanor Patterson.
Barber successfully defended her javelin world title from 2019, becoming only the second Australian after Cathy Freeman to win back-to-back world titles.
Patterson equalled the Australian record and set a new personal best of 2.02m to claim gold in the high jump.
A third medal, bronze, was won in the field by pole vaulter Nina Kennedy.
Eight other athletes finished in the top eight in their event: Jemima Montag (4th), Mackenzie Little (5th), Nicola Olyslagers (5th), Brooke Buschkuehl (5th), Matt Denny (6th), Peter Bol (7th), Jessica Hull (7th) and Cedric Dubler (8th).
Two-thirds of the Australian team performed above expectations, finishing in a higher position than their ranking (on season’s best) leading into the competition.
[table id=18 responsive=”collapse”/]
Commonwealth Games
Many of the team have now crossed the Atlantic and will shift their focus from the world stage to the Commonwealth Games. All of Australia’s top 8 finishers at the World Championships are set to compete, with COVID clouds hanging over Kelsey-Lee Barber (positive test, but asymptomatic) and Jessica Hull (withdrew from 5000m at World Championships after a positive test).
Unfortunately, Riley Day (200m), Joseph Deng (800m), Liz Clay (100m hurdles) and Ash Moloney (decathlon) have had to withdraw from the meet due to injury.
The Australian team for the Commonwealth Games, and their placing at the recent World Championships, is below.
[table id=19 responsive=”collapse”/]
[table id=20 responsive=”collapse”/]
Commonwealth Games Start Lists
Entry lists are available here. As expected due to the event being so close to the World Championships, there have been a number of international withdrawals, including Canada’s world champion 4x100m team. Expect to see many changes over the coming days.
Commonwealth Games Schedule
An excellent event schedule, including when Australian athletes take to the field and track, has been created by Andrew Pryn and is available from the Athletes Australia Facebook page.
Need new spikes? Enjoy 25% off with our Green & Gold Sale!
Use code BIRMINGHAM at checkout to get 25% off your order. Valid until 11:59pm AEST on Sunday 31 July.
[wcepe_products ids=’399,313,668′ columns=’3′]
Recent posts:
- Reynolds through to 400m final in windy Glasgow conditions
Who would have thought that the swirling winds of Melbourne’s Lakeside Stadium would provide the perfect preparation for Glasgow? Tom Reynolds drew the comparison between the venues after a 45.63 seconds victory in his semi-final, with his long hair slicked back in the windy conditions down the back straight. “I was waiting for everyone to - Commonwealth Games Live BlogYour second screen experience for Glasgow! Featuring stats, summaries and flash quotes straight from Scotstoun Stadium. Gearing up for the season? Replacement spikes, shipped fast from Melbourne. Shop Now
- “Ran the first lap too bloody hard.” Unconventional tactic yields bronze to Tori West in HeptathlonTori West has broken a 20 year podium drought for Australia in the Heptathlon, winning bronze in a gusty performance. A strong second day, with a PB in the long jump, a solid javelin throw by the former Australian U18 champion in that event, and a bold 800m race, saw her hold on to the
- Hoare through to mile final after protestA championship record from Cam Myers was the highlight of the men’s mile heats, while Olli Hoare progressed to the final after being tripped. Hoare hit the deck in the first heat after about 750m of running when his heels were clipped in a tactical, surging run. Although getting back to his feet and finishing
- From seven lost years to the record books: the making of Sarah BillingsSarah Billings lines up in Glasgow as Australia’s sole 800m representative, as the national record holder. Twelve months ago, neither half of that sentence looked likely. Five years ago, both would have seemed fanciful. Speaking on episode 53 of the Run With It podcast with Elise Beacom, recorded from a Melbourne Track Club altitude camp in the
