It was a busy weekend for Australia's athletics superstars, with pole vaulter Nina Kennedy soaring to a new national record of 4.82m at the Sydney Track Classic, while sprinter Riley Day ran a scorching 200m in 22.77 (+2.0), beating the Olympic qualifying standard by 0.03 seconds.
Jenny Blundell and Matthew Ramsden took out the women’s and men’s 5000m, and former World Champion Dani Stevens marked her return to competition following a serious injury in 2020, winning with 63.36m.
Continuing her momentum in the women’s pole vault, Nina Kennedy (WA, Paul Burgess and James Fitzpatrick) set a new Australian record after jumping a height of 4.82m. The result was her sixth Olympic qualifier, and her fifth in the last three months, as she puts Australian pole vault back on the international athletics scene.
“Most competitions this season we’ve gone from 4.70m (Olympic qualifier) straight to trying for the Australian record (previously 4.81m), so I am so happy it is done and I got that tonight, I’ve attempted it five or six times this season so to nail it on my first attempt I am just so happy,” she said.
“Now we’ll go to Brisbane for the Queensland Track Classic and get practise at those high heights. Every competition I compete in against myself at those heights, but when it comes to the Olympics, I’m going to be jumping against girls who can jump (4.)80 so I’ve just got to keep practising.”
The Sydney Track Classic also came with Australian championship status as athletes lined up for the 5000m titles. It was 1500m specialist and Rio semi-finalist Jenny Blundell (NSW, James Fitzgerald) who stormed home to win the national title in 15:25.84, just milliseconds behind Canadian Olympian Andrea Seccafien (15:25.62) putting her in great company.
“If you asked me last year, I would have said the 1500m at Tokyo was my goal but an extra year training has been a blessing, so I think I’m ready to put my eggs in both baskets and today was a big tick in trying to do that,” she said.
Blundell’s win was all the more sweeter after suffering injuries since her semi-final at the Rio Olympics.
“A lot of people would ask me if I was going to retire every time I had a setback, but when you know, you know, and I’m not done yet. The last year has been hard, training and foregoing work, but running is my passion.”
In the men’s 5000m final, Matthew Ramsden (WA, Nic Bideau) clocked 13:29.99 to take the win. While it was no Olympic qualifier, the slow pace of the race played right into the hands of Ramsden who was patient and played to his strengths in the last lap. Brett Robinson (VIC, Nic Bideau) placed second with a time of 13:31.97, with Jack Rayner (VIC, Nic Bideau) following right behind with 13:34.68, with the two marathon athletes stepping down in distance.
“This is my first proper National title and I couldn’t be more pleased. Usually it’s just a straight pace and Stewy (McSweyn) would kick out but today was up and down in pace the whole way and it was a positive to take away for myself as well,” he said.
“That shows that I am good enough for an Olympic final if I did choose to do the 5k,” said Ramsden, who already has a 1500m qualifier.
With Tokyo looming, Riley Day (QLD, Paul Pearce) ran a speedy 22.77 (+2.0) over 200m to all but book her ticket to Tokyo. Just 0.03 faster than the Olympic qualifying standard, it was a nervous wait for Day as she waited to find out if the wind conditions were legal.
“I cannot believe it. I knew I was running fast and I just needed good conditions, and I had a perfect 2.0 and I couldn’t be happier,” said Day, who burst on the scene at just 16 years old.”
Former world champion Dani Stevens (NSW, Dennis Knowles) made her return to competition, after sustaining a debilitating neck injury in the gym more than a year ago. While her throw of 63.36m was just shy of the Olympic qualifying standard of 63.5m, her result shows promise as she builds back up to her previous form.
“This time last year was really hard and I couldn’t even lift my arm. My priority was just to lift my arm, not even to throw a discus but I’m back and I’ve realised how much I missed throwing, how much I missed training and how much I love it,” she said.
“It’s been three years since I did the Sydney Track Classic. I aimed for over 60m for my first throwback, but I went over 61 and I instantly just reevaluated and thought hopefully I could get the Olympic qualifier, but unfortunately didn’t,” she said.
“I’ve still got the Olympic qualifier (from before the postponement of the Olympics and before the injury) which still counts so hopefully I can build on this competition. This is a great starting point.”
