10.05.2008

Bronzed Aussies shine in Cheboksary

Australia has won the men’s 20km team bronze medal at the IAAF World Race Walking Cup in Cheboksary, Russia, with Luke Adam’s gutsy personal best performance the highlight of an action-packed day.

Chris Erickson also stood up to the challenge, his first Olympic A-Qualifier in a personal best time of 1:22.55, greatly increasing his chances of filling the vacant 20km position in Beijing.

An important test against the world’s best less than 100 days out from the commencement of the athletics competition in Beijing, the depth of Australia’s race walking talent shone through.

The withdrawal of reigning world champion Nathan Deakes last week due to a hamstring injury was a massive blow to the team, however in promising signs ahead of the Olympics, the Aussies stood tall in the 'points for place' event, defeating a number of race walking powerhouses including Mexico, Italy and China.

Russia and Spain filled the remaining two team spots on the podium, with Spaniard Francisco Fernandez (1:18.15) taking the individual honours and US$30,000 first prize, ahead of Russian Valeriy Borchin (1:18.21).

The race unfolded as expected. Australia's in-form athlete, Jared Tallent, who was in the hunt for an individual medal, was in the breakaway pack of six athletes after 10km which included defending champion Fernandez, the Russian trio of Borchin, Illya Markov and Andrey Krivov and Eder Sanchez of Mexico, until his 39:14 10km split took it's toll on Australia's rising star.

Adams, who had dropped off from the lead pack, and was sitting 15th through 10km, battled hard to close the gap. Positioned 11th at the 15km mark, the reigning IAAF World Race Walking Challenge champion unleashed a 7:42 final lap, crossing the line in seventh place (1:19.15) to bring Australia’s team into contention for the medals.

Tallent fought on to record a time of 1:19:48 for 10th place to be Australia's second athlete home. Chris Erickson, who had only been switched to the 20km team after the withdrawal of Deakes, improved 11 places after 10km to finish 31st in an ‘A’ qualifying and personal best performance of 1:22:55, capping off a great tour for the Victorian.

Australia’s final contender, 21-year-old Adam Rutter finished 44th, rounding off a great competition for all four Australian Institute of Sport athletes.

"Obviously we took a body blow a week out from the Cup with Nathan unable to race. It was great that we that we were all able to step up and win a medal at this event. It’s great for the future knowing that we can cover that loss," Erickson said following his race.

Adams (20km), Tallent (20km and 50km) and Rutter (50km) will now continue their preparations for Beijing, whilst Erickson plays the waiting game after putting himself into contention for Olympic selection.

The news was just as promising in our junior ranks, with Victoria’s Jessica Rothwell achieving Australia’s best result by a junior at a World Walking Cup, finishing fifth behind a clean sweep of medals by the host nation, completing the 10km course in 46.44.

Personal best performances on international debut from Nicole Fagan (49:37) and Regan Lamble (49:38), steered the girl’s team into fifth position on the table.

Daniel Coleman (26^th – 43.57) and Rhydian Cowley (39^th – 45.24) started the day off with personal best performances in the junior 10km walk, with a season’s best to Brendan Reading who finished 43^rd in 46.33.

In the women’s 20km on Sunday, Jane Saville posted her second A-qualifier, sending a clear sign to selectors that she has returned to fitness and form after a long lay off due to a hamstring complaint.

The Athens bronze medallist withstood a tough final 5km, to finish seventh in a time of 1:29:27.

The Australian women’s team placed fifth on the overall standings, with Claire Woods (1:35.01) and Natalie Saville (1:36.32) coming home in 31^st and 37^th place respectively.

In the men’s 50km, Duane Cousins finished 53rd in 4:15.34. Olympic silver medallist Denis Nizhegorodov (3:34:14) collected first prize and rewrote the record books on home soil, bettering Nathan Deakes’ existing world record by 1:33.

Russia demonstrated that they are a force to be reckoned with come Beijing, collecting 15 out of the 20 medals on offer.

Further information on the event is available at www.iaaf.org/wrw08/index.html

With thanks to Brent Vallance

23rd IAAF World Race Walking Cup
Cheboksary, Russia

Men's 20km Walk
Team standing - Bronze
7th   Luke Adams   1:19.15 PB
10th Jarred Tallent 1:19.48
31st  Chris Erickson  1:22.55 PB
44th Adam Rutter   1:24.57

Women’s 20km Walk
Team standing – 5^th
7^th  Jane Saville  1:29.27  SB
31^st  Claire Woods  1:35.01
37^th Natalie Saville  1:36.32

Men’s 50km Walk
53^rd  Duane Cousins  4:15.34  SB

Men's Junior 10km Walk
Team standing - 14th
26th Daniel Coleman  43.57  PB
39th  Rhydian Cowley   45.24  PB
43rd  Brendan Reading  46.33 SB

Women's Junior 10km Walk
Team standing - 5th
5th  Jess Rothwell  46.44
25th  Nicole Fagan  49.37  PB
26th Regan Lambie  49.38  PB