Commonwealth champions Rose Davies and Eleanor Patterson have carried their Glasgow form to the Diamond League circuit with podium finishes in Silesia, where Jessica Hull took another stride forward to lead the Australian action.
Finishing in second place over 1500m with her fastest time of 2026, Hull (NSW, Simon Hull) demonstrated new tactics when sitting back in the field, before striking the front of the race at the top of the home straight.
The Olympic silver medallist could only be reeled in by the fast-finishing Tsige Duguma (ETH) who snatched victory in 3:55.06, but Hull was left feeling encouraged by the performance.
“I’ve built momentum as the year has gone,” Hull said.
“I got caught in the last few metres but I think it was a big step forwards in confidence today. That’s the fastest I’ve run all year and we have some good races to come over the next few weeks.”
A Commonwealth bronze medallist and national record holder over 800m, Sarah Billings (VIC, Nic Bideau) flexed her range when setting a new career best to trail Hull in seventh place with a time of 3:56.73, while Linden Hall (VIC, Ned Brophy-Williams) finished 13th in 4:01.44.
Dual Commonwealth champion Davies (NSW, Scott Westcott) continued her scorching form to land herself on the Diamond League podium for the second time of her career, strengthening her credentials in a tactical 5000m bout.
The Australian record holder bided her time before launching in pursuit of pre-race favourite Nadia Battoceltti (ITA) in the final 200m, holding on for third place in 14:55.39 after being passed by Freweyni Hailu (ETH), as Battoceltti took in the win in 14:54.09.
“It was a really tough race with lots of pushing and shoving. I wasn’t sure how it would go, if it would be fast or tactical,” Davies said.
“Every race is a step forward and to come top three at a Diamond League shows I’m in good form.
“I really look up to her [Battocletti], I think she’s a great athlete and I would love to be like her.”
Georgia Griffith (VIC, Nic Bideau) also broke 15 minutes in the event when clocking 14:59.02 for 16th place, followed by Lauren Ryan (VIC, Stephen Hass) whose 15:02.73 saw her finish in 17th.
High jumper Eleanor Patterson (NSW, Fayaaz Caan) rose to the occasion in what was one of the hottest competitions of 2026 to date, soaring to third place with a 1.98m clearance despite battling illness.
The former world champion channeled her strength into a third-attempt clearance at 1.96m to stay in contention, before nailing 1.98m on her second attempt to finish behind the Ukrainian duo of Yaroslava Mahuchikh (2.00m) and Iryna Gerashchenko (1.98m).
“I was missing lot of attempts; it was a bit of a hard workout!” Patterson said.
“I’m in really good shape and my training doesn’t lie. I just had to take it one jump at a time and stay alive!”
Fellow Australian Nicola Olyslagers (NSW, Matt Horsnell) finished in fourth place with a 1.96m clearance on her first attempt.
Australia’s fastest man Lachlan Kennedy (QLD, Andrew Iselin) took his first strides on the international circuit since his historic Glasgow campaign, warming back into proceedings with a 10.08 (+1.9) showing in the 100m heats, narrowly missing the final.
“I didn’t come out as well as I would’ve liked but I’m just trying to shake the rust off a bit. I’ll get back into some training and better form – I’m happy,” Kennedy said.
Pole vaulter Kurtis Marschall (WA, Declan Carruthers) pulled off a first-attempt clearance at 5.90m, but the Commonwealth champion was forced to settle for fifth place on a day that saw six metres required for the podium, which was led by Armand Duplantis (SWE) at 6.20m.
Two-time Diamond League champion Matthew Denny (QLD, Dale Stevenson) had a rare miss when falling to eighth place with a 66.38m throw in the event that was won by world record holder Mykolas Alekna (LTU) with a new Diamond League record of 72.58m.
The 2026 Diamond League will continue this week in Zurich, before the final will be held in Brussels.
Full results can be found HERE.
By Lachlan Moorhouse, Australian Athletics
Posted 24/8/2026
