08.07.2009

Williamsz, Rowe first to fire in Bressanone

Australia’s world youth championships campaign is off to a flying start with 800m athletes Jordan Williamsz and Alex Rowe this morning progressing through the heats of the two-lap event.

Lining up in heat five of the eight races contested Williamsz was the first to advance, the Victorian runner taking control of the race at the halfway mark to claim victory in a time of 1:53.36. 

“I’m pretty happy, I was a bit nervous going into it but I came through in the lead with about 400m to go and just stayed calm, I knew what I had to do and I had a good win in the end,” he said.

Williamsz moves through to tomorrow’s semi-finals as eleventh fastest of the 24 starters. Johan Rogestedt will line up as fastest qualifier, the Swede taking out heat three in a new personal best time of 1:51.48.

In control of the race from the 400m mark, Williamsz was leaving nothing to chance in ensuring his progression through to tomorrow’s semi-finals.

“I probably could have even eased up a little but more but I wasn’t going to leave anything to chance at all, I wanted to make sure I had it and I feel fine, I feel better now than when I was going into it, I’m relaxed so bring on the semi’s,” he said.

“I knew in the heats it wouldn’t be as difficult as what a final would be but it was still a good standard, just seeing all the different countries together it was mixed emotions, I didn’t know what to think.

“Chances are tomorrow I’ll be up against one of the Kenyans or the other east Africans but I’ve just got to keep my head, relax and hopefully I’ll get there.”

Fellow Victorian Alex Rowe turned on the burners late in heat six to clinch second place and automatic qualification for the semi-finals.

Sitting back in the field in the opening lap of the race, Rowe stormed down the home straight to cross the line in 1:53.63 and secure his place on the semi-final start list.

“I thought I’d left my run a little bit late so I’ve got something I can work on in the semi’s, they obviously kicked really hard down the front straight and I was only just lucky to scrape in but I’ll put all that behind me now and look forward to the semi’s,” Rowe said.

“I felt very relaxed with 100m to go and I didn’t want to tighten up or else I would have slowed up and I might have missed the semi’s but I found that my speed really helped to get into second and into the semi.

“I saw Jordan run and he just raced magnificently, he took the lead with 400m to go and they just couldn’t catch him, down the front straight he was cruising. He ran really well and it would be good for both of us to make the final.”

Athletes were treated to perfect conditions on day one of competition at the 6th IAAF world youth championships as Bressnaone saw in the first of five days of hard-fought track and field action. 

“It was a good day for racing, not much wind, a nice temperature, nice and warm and I’m very happy,” Rowe said.