23.07.2007

Riseley and Kealey impressive in Tallin

Middle distance runners Jeff Riseley (800m) and Mitch Kealey (1500m) recorded impressive victories last night in Tallin, Estonia, a meet which featured 11 Australians.

Posting 1:47.59, his second best time of the year, Riseley hit the lead with 80 metres to go and stormed home strongly, defeating Latvia’s Dmitrijs Jurkevics in 1:48.01.

It was also an opportunity to seek revenge against three-time Australian champion Nick Bromley, who pipped him for the national 800m title in March. Bromley finished fifth in 1:48.67.

Queenslander Mitch Kealey secured the 1500m win in a personal best time of 3:39.09, an outstanding effort by the 23-year-old defeating Russia’s Vyacheslav Shabunin (3:39.64). Ballarat’s Collis Birmingham was third in 3:41.68.

After throwing a huge personal best in Madrid the night before (20.52m), Scott Martin backed up the next afternoon to throw 20.09m in Tallin. Finishing second to American Adam Nelson (20.16m), it was an impressive feat by the big Victorian, considering he travelled all morning and has only just re-introduced ‘spinning’ to his technique since having surgery on his foot last March.

Training partner Benn Harradine launched the discus 60.05m to finish eighth.

AIS sprinter Adam Miller, who has been struggling with a knee injury, clocked 10.30 (+1.4) to finish fourth in the 100m, whilst fellow AIS scholarship holder Mark Ormrod (47.27) crossed the line in third place over the one-lap race.

Hurdler Justin Merlino stopped the clock in 14.34 to finish sixth over 110m whilst John Thornell landed 7.68m (-1.3) in the sand to place seventh in the long jump.

In his first encounter on European soil, Jarrod Bannister threw the javelin 76.62m to finish fifth; competition experience which will be invaluable come the World Championships which kick off in 33 days time.

In other European results, Fiona Cullen posted double-victories in Flanders, Belgium with 11.69 (-0.7) in the 100m and 13.23 (0.7) in the 100m hurdles.

Closer to home, Victorian pair Mark Tucker and Anna Thompson took the honours in the inaugural Launceston 10km in damp and foggy conditions.

Tucker (28:37.18) broke away from ACT's Brett Cartwright and three-time City to Surf winner Patrick Nyangelo in the final kilometre.

Thompson (32:56.16) defeated Tasmania's female athlete of the year Donna MacFarlane and Victoria's Kate Smyth.

Reigning national 10km champion Lee Troop was forced to withdraw just after the 6km mark with a groin injury.

Benita Johnson did not start after suffering a hamstring strain.

The action continues this Wednesday night in Monaco, with Paul Burgess (PV), Steve Hooker (PV), Jana Rawlinson (400m H), John Steffensen (400m), Sarah Jamieson (1500m) and Lisa Corrigan (1500m) all set to line up in the IAAF Super Grand Prix event.