27.03.2008

Walking down the Russian road

World champion and 50km race walk world record holder Nathan Deakes, and Olympic bronze medallist Jane Saville, spearhead the talented and experienced 16-member team that will represent Australia at the 23^rd edition of the IAAF World Race Walking Cup in Cheboksary, Russia.

An important test against the world’s best only three months out from the Beijing Olympics, our top walkers will line up against the walking powerhouses on May 10 and 11.

Endeavouring to go one better than their momentous team silver in La Coruna 2006, Deakes will join reigning national champion Jared Tallent, the in-form Adam Rutter, and Luke Adams, who finished seventh at the world titles, in the 20km race.

Victorians Duane Cousins and Chris Erickson will compete in the men’s 50km event.

Held every two years, the men’s team have 20 editions of combined World Cup experience between them, with Bendigo veteran Cousins set to make his seventh appearance at the biggest event on the world race walking calendar.

Deakes' best individual performance was a bronze medal in 2004 at Naumburg, Germany, whilst Tallent and Adams both finished in the top 20 in 2006.

In the women's 20km, Saville will line up beside her younger sister and Commonwealth Games silver medallist Natalie Saviile, and Beijing nominees Kellie Wapshott and Claire Woods.

Saville, who was pipped for a medal in 2004 and finished seventh in 2006, will be making her seventh appearance in Cheboksary.

Both Wapshott and Woods will be making their debut.

The next generation of Australian race walking talent will also have an opportunity to travel and train with their peers, with six rising stars selected to compete in the junior 10km division.

Victorian Simon Baker is Australia’s sole gold medallist, standing atop the podium in 1989 after cruising to victory in the 50km event. Two individual silver medals (Baker – 1991, Kerry Saxby-Junna - 1989) and two individual bronze medals (Deakes – 2004, Susan Cook – 1983) shine on Australia’s medal tally.

Australian Team
23^rd IAAF World Race Walking Cup
May 10 – 11, 2008
Cheboksary, Russia

Men 20km: Luke Adams (NSW), Nathan Deakes (Vic), Adam Rutter (NSW), Jared Tallent (Vic)

Women 20km: Jane Saville (NSW), Natalie Saville (NSW), Kellie Wapshott (Vic), Claire Woods (SA), Megan Szirom (Vic)*

Men 50km: Duane Cousins (Vic), Chris Erickson (Vic)

Junior Women 10km: Nicole Fagan (NSW), Regan Lamble (Vic), Jessica Rothwell (Vic)

Junior Men 10km: Daniel Coleman (Tas), Rhydian Cowley (Vic), Brendan Reading (ACT)

Team Manager / Coach: Brent Vallance
Assistant Manager / Masseur: Simone Wolowiec
Physiotherapist: Toby Watson

*late addition to the team