08.02.2008

State titles on the line

With just three weeks until the 86th Australian Championships, which double as the Selection Trials for the Olympic Games, athletes along the eastern seaboard of Australia will not only be vying for a state title this weekend but that all-important A and B Olympic qualifier.

New South Wales Championships

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On paper the strongest event is the men’s 200m, with New Zealand’s James Dolphin undefeated so far this domestic season. Athletes who will be hoping to chase Dolphin to a fast time are Patrick Johnson, Adam Miller, Matt Shirvington, Daniel Batman and Henry Mitchell, although it is difficult to know how many will compete after contesting the 100m the day before.

The men’s 400m will gather the best field of the summer so far, with the 21-year-old Joel Milburn attempting to retain his title against a rejuvenated Clinton Hill. Also entered is World Championships relay runner Kurt Mulcahy and versatile sprinter Daniel Batman.

In the women’s sprints, 17-year-old Olivia Tauro, who debuted sensationally over 400m six weeks ago, will drop back down to the shorter sprints in an attempt to capture the sprint double.

One of the contests of the meet will be the men’s 1500m, which will see four former winners battle for supremacy. Reigning champion Bradley Woods will face stiff competition from training partner Jeremy Roff, two-time national champion Lachlan Chisholm and steeplechaser Youcef Abdi.

The men’s 800m will see 20-year-old Lachlan Renshaw attemptdf to lower his personal best by another second to under the Olympic A-qualifier. 

In the field World Junior champion Dani Samuels will seek to secure the A-standard for Beijing. A fortnight ago she threw a B-qualifier of 59.27m. The men’s long jump sees 2005 NCAA champion Fabrice Lapierre return to competition in his home town.

Other athletes in action include marathoner Lee Troop, who will compete in the 10,000m as part of his preparation for next months Lake Biwa Marathon; deaf athlete Melinda Vernon, who won the Australian 10,000m championship in December; Australian 110m hurdles champion Justin Merlino; and Australian champion Peter Nowill and Commonwealth Games fourth placegetter Martin Dent, who will battle out the 3000m steeplechase.

Victorian Championships

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Defending title holder Aaron Rouge-Serret equalled his PB of 10.36 in the Australia Cup last week and will start as favourite in the men’s 100m. Looking for his third 400m title and with a PB of 45.25, Sean Wroe should have no difficulty in this event and will also look to defend his title in the 200m.

Having not run since the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, Kyle Vander Kuyp has entered the championships in a bid to win his 10th 110m hurdles title.

World Championships 50km rep and defending champion Chris Erickson will have to work hard to keep Osaka team-mate Duane Cousins and Tom Barnes at bay in the 5000m walk.

Having already thrown three Olympic A-qualifiers, Scott Martin should have no trouble taking out his sixth state title in the shot put. The men’s discus will be a thrilling contest, with Benn Harradine, Aaron Neighbour and Graham Hicks also in contention. Harradine has thrown 61.66m this season and is chasing a B qualifier, whilst Neighbour (60.80m) and Hicks (58.62m) have also been in strong form.

Lauren Hewitt is likely to dominate the women’s 100 and 200m, whilst Tamsyn Lewis, who is in great form this season, will be chasing yet another 400m and 800m state title double.

Georgie Clarke has run 4.11.70 this year over 1500m and should be able to fend off any challenges, whilst Margaret Satupai and Kim Mulhall will continue their rivalry in the discus and shot put.

The AWD events will feature Amanda Fraser, Tim Sullivan and Don Elgin and a strong line up from Canada.

Queensland Championships

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Such has Sally McLellan's form been this season it is difficult to predict her Australian dominance being dented in whatever event she chooses to contest, although she did have a minor scare last week when she had to bypass the Australia Cup after suffering a twinge at training the day before.

Northern Territory's international sprinter Crystal Attenborough and New Zealand's Andrea Miller will be here to challenge Sally McLellan in both sprints and the hurdles.

All eyes will be on the 31-year-old Fijian Makelesi Batimala who has been in great form over the past few weeks, dominating the Canberra Athletics Classic two weeks ago and then last week stole the show in the Australia Cup in Brisbane.

Matt Davies, Queensland's form sprinter this year with a PB of 10.41sec, has so far withstood several challenges from the powerfully built North Queenslander, Otis Gowa, who has been one of surprise "discoveries" this season. However, keep an eye on Canberra-based American John Woods for an upset in the 100m finals.

The tall, strongly built Nick Boylett will battle it out with Dylan Grant and AIS athlete Tristan Thomas over the one lap. Thomas is expected to also win the open 400m hurdles race having edged past the 50sec barrier.

The men's long jump is expected to be one of the most exciting events of the championships with Robert Crowther from the AIS (8.02m), and Tim Parravicini (8.01m), ready to resume their rivalry since the latter moved from the AIS earlier this season to train under coach Gary Bourne in Brisbane.

Bronwyn Thompson showed last week that she is well on the way to top form with a 6.52m winning jump at the Australia Cup. It is hard to see her succumbing in these champs although she will be hard pressed by Kerrie Taurima and Jacinta Boyd.

The throwing events will feature Justin Anlezark (shot put) and Josh Robinson (javelin).

With thanks to:

Tim McGrath (Athletics NSW)
Paul Jenes (Athletics Victoria)
Daryl Cross and Geoff McKinnon (Queensland Athletics)