Super Sally's first taste of Japan

Sprint sensation Sally McLellan returns to international racing this weekend in what will be her first hit-out in the nation that is due to host the IAAF World Championships later this year.

Tackling the 100m in Shizuoka, Japan on April 30, Monday’s meet will be the 20-year-old’s first taste at racing in the orient this year as she commences her preparations for the IAAF World Championships in Osaka from August 25 – September 2.

With a national record, multiple personal bests and two more national titles credited to her name over the summer, the Sharon Hannan-coached sprinter is in outstanding form. However, McLellan is fully focussed on the challenges which lay ahead as she is due to face the world’s best over the coming months.

Joining the Queenslander on the Shizuoka track will be Jeffrey Riseley (1500m), the young Victorian who showed plenty of promise during the Telstra A-Series this year and two-time national 400m hurdles champion Brendan Cole from the AIS.  

Also competing in Japan this weekend will be Commonwealth Games finalist Fiona Cullen who will race in the 100m hurdles on April 29 in Hiroshima.

The fourth round of the IAAF Race Walking Challenge will be held in Sesto San Giovanni (Milan), Italy on Tuesday (May 1) and will once again feature two of Australia’s top race walkers – Luke Adams and Jane Saville.

Finishing fifth in China and second in Portugal after pushing Olympic champion Ivan Brugnetti all the way to the finish line, Luke Adams has secured the top position on the IAAF Race Walking Challenge leaderboard at the half way point of the season with 15 points.

Jared Tallent is not far behind in 19^th position after his personal best performance in China. Finishing 12th in Portugal, the Commonwealth Games bronze medallist has returned to Australia for a well-earned break.

Jane Saville holds second position in the women’s standings and will look to knock Norway’s Kjersti Platzer off her pedestal in Sesto San Giovanni on Tuesday.

After recovering from a hamstring injury which plagued him for most of the Telstra Australian athletics season, Nathan Deakes plans to make his long-awaited return to international race walking in La Coruna, Spain on June 2.

Results and further information can be found at www.iaaf.org

Listen to Sharon Hannan, Max Binnington and Richard Finn in this week's edition of Higher Faster Longer, the official podcast of athletics.com.au

*A large Australian contingent, including the 4x100m relay teams, will compete in the IAAF Grand Prix meet in Osaka, Japan on May 5. A preview will be posted on athletics.com.au next week.