09.07.2008

Junior's impressive at end of day one

A flawless performance from Western Australia’s Zoe Timmers was the highlight of the evening session of the first day of the world junior championships.

The high jumper cleared each of the three heights she attempted in the women’s high jump qualifying to finish at the top of her pool. With her position in Thursday’s final assured after a clearance at 1.81m, Timmers did not need to attempt the automatic qualifying standard of 1.83m, thereby finishing the competition in unusual circumstances for a vertical jumper – with a success rather than a failure. 

“I’ve only had a clear series to that height once before,” said Timmers on her confidence boosting performance.

“There are girls that are ranked higher than me, but I’m just going to try to jump like this again in the final on Thursday.” 

In the first final of the championship, the men’s shot put, Emanuele Fuamatu finished ninth. The 18 year old, who was the only non-european in the field, was agonizingly close to securing an extra three throws by being placed in the top eight after the first three rounds. His opening throw of 19.11m was the equal seventh best throw, but unfortunately was not sufficient to progress into the top eight, with two other athletes who recorded the same distance surviving on a countback.

Promising performances were recorded by the middle distance athletes in action, with Ryan Gregson progressing through to the 1500m final and James Kaan and Trychelle Kingdom qualifying for the semi-final stage of the 800m. 

Gregson, running in the third of three heats, ran a smart tactical race by leading for the first two laps at a solid pace.

“I wanted to stay out of the mess early,” he said. 

“I knew if it was a quicker race there was a better chance of making the final.”

Gregson found himself boxed in at the bell as the field swarmed to secure a clear run to the line. 

“I was in a spot of trouble down the back but I kicked hard. I’ve worked a lot on my speed and it paid off,” said the Australian under 18 record holder in the event, who automatically qualified for the final by way of his third place finish in 3:46.82.

Gregson’s close friend James Kaan was impressive in his heat of the 800m, finishing third in 1:50.28. His heat panned out like most of the others, with the first lap covered in a modest 55 seconds. Kaan made a strong, fluid run into the lead down the back straight and, knowing that he needed to only finish in the top three to automatically qualify for the next round, eased down in the home straight. 

Trychelle Kindgom, who had an injury plagued preparation for the championship, showed that she is still race fit by finishing second in her heat in 2:07.77.

“That’s only the third time I have been on the track in the past eight weeks,” said Kingdom. 

The performance by Kindgom, who hails from Tuross Heads on the lower south coast of NSW, was particularly impressive considering that she has only been seriously involved in the sport for less than two years.

“Racing internationally is amazing. There’s a lot of push and shove, but that’s what 800m racing is about.” 

Canberra’s Melissa Breen finished third in her semi-final of the 100m in 11.70 seconds, but with only the first two athletes and then the two next fastest times securing a place in the final, the young sprinter failed to progress.

“I’m very happy with how I ran. I gave it everything I had and really enjoyed it,” said Breen. 

Other athletes in action during the evening session were Craig Huffer, who made a strong move into the lead down the back straight of the final lap in his heat of the 1500m before fading down the home straight to finish eighth; Sianne Toemoe, who despite being in the heat of the women’s 800m which went through their first lap the quickest, was unable to get a clear, uninterrupted run during the race. She finished one place outside of the next fastest time qualifiers for the semi-finals; and Kate Shierlaw, who threw 47.98m in the qualifying round of the javelin and did not progress through to the final.

Day 1 evening session results: 
Emanuele Fuamatu     Shot put          Final                            9^th        19.11m
Zoe Timmers               High jump       Qualifying Pool B       1^st        1.81m q
Trychelle Kingdom     800m               First Round (heat 4)    2^nd        2:07.77 Q
Ryan Gregson             1500m             First Round (heat 3)    3^rd        3:46.82 Q
James Kaan                 800m               First Round (heat 6)    3^rd        1:50.28 Q
Melissa Breen              100m               Semi-final 1                 3^rd        11.70 (+0.0 m/s)
Sianne Toemoe            800m               First Round (heat 2)    7^th        2:09.48
Craig Huffer               1500m             First Round (heat 1)    8^th        3:50.90
Kate Shierlaw             Javelin             Qualifying Pool A       8^th        47.98m

For all the results from the IAAF website click here

To send a message of support to the athletes click here