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A Tallent-ed team for Chihuahua
Athletics Australia High Performance Manager Eric Hollingsworth has announced a five man team to compete as part of the 50km event at the World Race Walk Championships next year.
Travelling to Mexico with a men’s 20km and women’s 20km team to be announced in February following the 20km Australian Road Walks Championships in Hobart, the squad for the Chihuahua event comprises Jared Tallent, Chris Erickson, Tom Barnes, Nathan Deakes and Luke Adams.
An Olympic silver medallist over the distance, Tallent most recently set a new personal best time of 3:38.56 to secure himself the Australian championship for the event only days after completing an arduous altitude training camp at Falls Creek.
After the championship race, Tallent was thrilled with his performance given the time of year and proclaimed his desire for a medal in Mexico.
“I’m looking for a medal at the next year’s IAAF Road Walk Championships in Mexico and today’s result is the ideal start to what will be a tough training schedule between now and then,” he said.
Victorian Barnes joined Tallent on the dais at the 50km Road Walk Championships completing the course in 4:12.05, just shy of this personal best time, and is looking forward to Mexico where he will represent Australia in an open international event for the first time.
“I’m absolutely rapt with my selection,” he said.
“It was my third attempt at making an open international team so I’m really happy to get across the line and am grateful to the selectors for having faith in me.”
“I’ve had to work hard for my sport and now my focus shifts to working with my coach on ensuring my best form heading into Chihuahua.”
Erickson, who’s personal best time for the distance is 3:55.28, will return to international competition in Mexico after being forced out of the event at Berlin World Championships earlier this year due to illness.
Fellow Australian Flame Luke Adams will compete on the back of finishing sixth in the event at the World Championships held in August.
After also competing in both the 20km and 50km men’s walk events at the Beijing Olympic, Adams’ selection is further proof of his ability after rounding out 2009 ranked third as part of the IAAF Walk Series.
The inclusion of former world record holder and 2007 World Champion for the event, Nathan Deakes, adds depth to the team.
Deakes’ automatic selection comes after his selection for the 2009 Berlin World Championships before injury forced him to withdraw.
Hollingsworth, who only confirmed the team this week, couldn’t be happier with the athletes competing and is confident in the ability of the group to secure Australian success.
“Led by the Australian Champion in Jared (Tallent), our team for Mexico couldn’t be stronger and I’m confident in their chances for success,” he said.
“Along with the Commonwealth Games, this event is the pinnacle for walkers in 2010 and the Australian team is as strong as we could have hoped for.”
The IAAF World Race Walk Championships will be held on the on the 14th & 15th May 2010 in Chihuahua, Mexico with the team departing Australian soil earlier that month.
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