28.02.2008

Buster signs off on World Indoors preparations

The odds of a medal for Craig Mottram at next weekend’s World Indoor Championships have tightened even more after a very solid showing concluded day one of the Selection Trials and 86th Australian Championships in Brisbane.

In his first run in Brisbane in six years, Mottram moved superbly in the light rain over 3000m to finish in a creditable 7:48.26, five-and-a-half seconds clear of Kenyan Shadrack Kosgei. Victorian Collis Birmingham was third in 7:55.47.

It was Mottram’s second Australian title in a week; in Melbourne he claimed his sixth crown over 5000m, the distance that will take him to Beijing in August.

Undoubtedly the highlight of Mottram’s year to date is his indoor run over 7:34.50 in Boston in January, the fastest ever run indoors in the US.

Coupled with tonight’s effort, he’s in good stead for next week.

“That was good,” he said. “It was always going to be a bit awkward running with five or six guys but Athletics Australia put that on so that I could practise something for next week in Valencia.

“I can go into next week knowing I’m fit and I’m ready and if it doesn’t work, I’ve tried everything I could. I’m pretty confident that I can compete well in another good world championship for me.

“Osaka was a long time ago. It hurt, cut deep at the time but the true measure of a man is how they bounce back.”

Other highlights from the Queensland Sport & Athletics Centre tonight included the men’s 400m heats, won by John Steffensen, Sean Wroe, Mark Ormrod and Kurt Mulcahy, while New Zealand’s world shot put champion Valerie Vili set a meet record of 19.54m.

The expected graduates booked a place in Friday night’s 400 metres semi-finals, with the first of those Commonwealth Games champion John Steffensen. The 25 year-old, though focused, waved to the stands with both arms when announced. Starting well, he made his traditional move on the bend before cruising to the line in 46.78.

South Australian silver bullet Mark Ormrod edged another favourite, New South Wales’ Joel Milburn, in the second heat. Milburn, who ran an A-qualifier at his State Championships this month, is a sentimental choice for some to claim his first title and Olympic Games selection – should it be in an A-qualifying time.

Missing the Sydney Grand Prix and World Athletics Tour Melbourne meets with a knee injury, he feels well recovered for the coming days.

“I was really looking forward to getting out there and competing and testing out the leg,” he said. “I pushed through the first 250 really quickly just to test it out and it felt really good.

“After today I’m more than confident of coming out and running well.”

One man who will stand in his way is 2007 champion Sean Wroe (46.91), who made all the right moves to win his heat tonight after finishing third to American Jeremy Wariner and AIS athlete Clinton Hill in Melbourne.

“It was quite windy down the back straight there, but it was very controlled and good to get a run out,” he said.

“I don’t mind doing the championship running because at the end of the day if you want to be an Olympian or a world champ, you’ve got to be able to back up on three consecutive days. It’s a good experience.”

The fastest male over 400 metres tonight was impressive World Championships relay representative Kurt Mulcahy (46.47).

Tamsyn Lewis was the quickest qualifier in the women’s 400 metres, always in control to finish in 52.79. From here, she can expect her strongest challenges from international athletes Makelesi Batimala (Fiji) and Monique Williams (New Zealand).

Valerie Vili concluded her Australian campaign with another dominant display in the women’s shot put. Her meet record of 19.00m (2005) fell with her very first throw and every one that followed, finishing with 19.54m.

“It’s not a targeted meet but I’m pretty happy with my throw,” she said. “You always want more, as you do as an athlete, but I’m quite happy.”

Another shining light of that event was 17 year-old Victorian Kimberley Mulhall, who made the most of Dani Samuels’ absence to finish third overall with a personal best of 14.94m and claim her first national title. Mulhall is the niece of 1984 Olympic Games bronze medalist Gael Martin.

In the men’s 100m heats, Australian record holder Patrick Johnson showed no signs of the injuries that have hampered his domestic season, winning his convincingly in 10.31 (+1.8). Second was Queensland’s Matt Davies (10.44) with strapping Indigenous athlete Otis Gowa third (10.52), showing he is one to watch over the coming days.

Victorian Aaron Rouge-Serret showed he will throw everything at this year’s title race, finishing just outside of his personal best with a run of 10.37 (+0.4), while Matt Shirvington won his heat in 10.35 (+1.7), setting the stage for Friday night’s semi-finals.

Fiona Cullen was the quickest of the women in 11.65 (+1.2).

John Thornell was the first to qualify for Saturday night’s long jump final, posting 7.70m off one effort to automatically advance. It was a warm scene, given the injury troubles the AIS scholar has had in recent months and with many well aware of his talent.

“Two weeks ago the doctor gave me the all clear to compete here, so I started training two weeks ago,” he said. “I was probably a bit more surprised that I jumped what I did today.

“They just said that I got to come out and try to prove some fitness but it looks like I’m getting on track for the Olympics, so that’s all I’m out here for.”

Robbie Crowther, who leads the season’s ranking lists with his 8.01m effort in Canberra, was the best qualifier with 7.89m. Defending champion Tim Parravicini, who recently returned to his Queensland base, jumped 7.75m. USA-based jumpers Fabrice Lapierre and Chris Noffke, both former champions, also competed though Noffke missed advancing to the final.

The men’s 1500 metres is poised for an entertaining final tomorrow night with all of the usual contenders, bar injured defending champion Mark Fountain. Queensland’s Mitchell Kealey, one of the form runners over the distance this summer, was the fastest qualifier overall finishing in 3:45.11. He just edged out New South Wales’ Bradley Woods (3:45.21), who won the thriller at the Sydney Grand Prix two weeks ago, with Mark Tucker (3:45.28) and two-time national champion Lachlan Chisholm (3:45.61) third and fourth.

The first heat, a bit slower, was won by visiting Kenyan Bernard Kiptum (3:48.59) with defending 800 champion Nick Bromley (3:48.87) third behind Jeremy Roff (3:48.85). Bromley is contesting both distances at these championships.

An Australian champion was crowned in the men’s triple jump, as Alwyn Jones defended his title with 16.42m, while Queensland’s Cal Pearce won the men’s high jump in 2.22m.

The women’s 3000m championship was won by World Junior Championships aspirant Chloe Tighe (NSW), who led a young field to the line in a qualifying time of 9:27.63.

South Australian Darren Billett was the first Australian in the men’s hammer final with a best throw of 65.45. Japan’s Hiroaki Doi won the title with a heave of 68.70m.

Click here for the full results

Watch highlights from day one (courtesy Daryl Cross)