Matthew Denny is no stranger to embracing the humorous side of his runner-up track record, but the Allora product has largely been smiling through the pain. Disappointed with his World Championships fourth-place finish, the discus thrower doubled down on his Australian record to be crowned the 2023 Diamond League champion.
Denny’s most memorable close call came at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, where the Australian fell just five-centimetres short of Olympic bronze at the age of 25. Finishing in sixth place at the 2019 and 2022 World Championships, Denny only added to his major credentials with another fourth-place finish at the 2023 World Championships – simultaneously adding to the torment.
Throwing an Australian record of 68.24m to eclipse Benn Harradine, the candid Queenslander could hardly believe his luck post-event.
“To throw 68.24m and miss out on a medal is insane. It is one of the biggest non-medalling throws ever and shows the depth of men’s discus at the moment,” Denny said.
“I want to be super happy but I am not going to BS people thinking I am happy with fourth. I’m not. I’m here to win majors and make history.”
The 27-year-old took just weeks to add substance to his claims, jetting to Eugene, Oregon for the 2023 Diamond League Final where he bettered his Australian record with a 68.43m effort – winning the coveted title against the giants of world discus and claiming US$30,000 prize.
“I have always said that it’s there and I have spoken for a long time about how I believe I can get to the top of men’s discus in the world. Obviously I didn’t do that at the World Championships but I did it at the second biggest meet of the year,” Denny said.
“I still think that 70m was possible this year. I didn’t get it but I still did what was necessary to win one of the biggest meets of the year. I had some great throws and it was really nice to confirm my own sanity that I am one of the best guys out there, it was really refreshing ahead of next year.”
Competing 16 times across the domestic and international season, the two-time Olympian finds himself in a familiar position on the world rankings – eyeing off a bigtime showing at February’s Maurie Plant Meet – Melbourne to draw first blood on home soil and welcome the Olympic year.
“Right now, I’m currently sitting the old dreaded fourth on the points ranking by two points, so being able to get a good opportunity at a Gold Level meet at home will be a really good way to focus on pushing into that top three and build some hype around top-level competitions in Australia,” Denny said.
Establishing himself as one of Australia’s best major championships performers, Denny hopes to continue his execution of planning and peaking under the guidance of Dale Stevenson for the Paris Olympic Games in 2024, where the two-time Commonwealth champion will eye his maiden global medal.
“We made a really great process this season considering so many changes in March of this year, to then turn around and have one of my best seasons, I think it will really spur me on for the domestic season leading into the Olympic year,” Denny said.
By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 26/10/2022
