ATHLETICS: A penultimate round throw of 63.98m in London (GBR) has delivered Benn Harradine (Qld) his fifth consecutive podium appearance in the men’s discus throw and his first as part of the 2015 IAAF Diamond League this year.
One of five Australian athletes competing in the 2012 Olympic stadium earlier today, Harradine’s strong performance less than a month out from the IAAF World Championships was joined on a list of green and gold highlights from overnight competition by a season best to Collis Birmingham (Vic) in the men’s 3000m at the London Olympics Anniversary Games and victory to both Jeff Riseley (Vic) and Sam McEntee (WA) at the Morton Games in Dublin (IRL).
Harradine’s series began with a 62.93m effort, as athletes battled unfavourably wet conditions that led to the postponement of the concurrently underway men’s pole vault competition. Throws of 62.97m, 62.64m and 60.27m followed before his best mark in round five and an uncharacteristically short 41.51m in the final round. The event was won by Phillip Milanov (BEL) with a mark of 65.14m.
The Australian discus record holder, Harradine will compete in his fourth IAAF World Championships at Beijing 2015. His season best of 66.75m at the Werfer-Cup ranks him among the contenders, with his 2015 highlights including second place finishes in Weisbaden (GER), Halle (GER), Sollentuna (SWE) and Sundvall (SWE), as well as two further third placings at Luzern (SUI) and at today’s IAAF Diamond League event.
Birmingham season best time of 7:39.85 saw the IAAF World Relays bronze medallist cross 6th in the men’s 3000m behind hometown hero Mo Farah (GBR), who set a world lead of 7:34.66 to win. Australian 10,000m champion Brett Robinson (Vic) crossed 12th in a time of 7:48.59.
Competing at his first IAAF Diamond League, Nick Hough (NSW) ran 13.90 (w: -1.4) in the men’s 110m hurdles, while Zoe Buckman (Vic) stopped the clock at 4:14.48 in the women’s 1500m.
To view and download results from the IAAF Diamond League in London (GBR), please click here.
Day 2 of the IAAF Diamond League in London (GBR) continues in the early hours of Sunday morning (AEST). The Commonwealth champions Alana Boyd (Qld, pole vault) and Kim Mickle (WA, javelin) will fly the Australian flag and compete.
Meanwhile at the Morton Games, Riseley and McEntee have led the Australian charge through their resounding victories.
Taking line honours in 3:57.09, Riseley’s run in the men’s mile highlights his continuingly strong 2015 campaign, which already includes the 800m and 1500m national titles and a 1:44.99 run in the men’s 800m in Lignano (ITA).
Riseley has aspirations for a career defining performance at Beijing 2015 next month, with his fourth IAAF World Championships appearance providing an opportunity for the 28-year-old to fulfil his great potential on the world stage.
“Last year’s Commonwealth Games where I was able to keep backing up and producing strong performance five days in a row has given me a lot of confidence that I can compete at a major championships,” Riseley said.
“Beijing is going to be a lot harder than Glasgow so I know I have to go to another level. My goal is to make sure that I'm competing at my best come August 19th (when we arrive in Beijing).”
Read Athletics Australia's fantastic feature on Riseley, here.
McEntee’s win in the men’s 3000m in 7:48.35 is his first in Europe this year, and launches the 23-year-old up the Australian all-time list to 13th.
In other results from the Morton Games, Ryan Gregson (NSW) ran 4:01.81 in the men’s mile, while Genevieve LaCaze (Vic) and Brittany McGowan (Qld) clocked 4:32.89 and 4:37.12 respectively in the women’s race. In the men’s 3000m, Zak Patterson (Vic) ran 7:53.49.
With thanks Athletics Australia
