Fast-improving youngster Rose Davies has rocketed into Olympic calculations with a commanding victory at the Australian 10,000m championships in Melbourne.
The 21-year-old NSW runner only gained permission to cross the border into Victoria a matter of days ago when COVID restrictions were relaxed.
Davies took full advantage, dominating the latter stages of the national title race on Tuesday night to clock a winning time of 31 minutes 39.97 seconds, smashing her personal best for the second time in two months.
“That was my first big win,” she said.
ROSE DAVIES – 1st #Zatopek 10,000m 31:39.97
▪️PB by 1 min 45.55 sec
▪️moves from #50⬆️#7 ?? all-time
▪️2nd fastest ever time by an Aussie in AUS ??
▪️2nd fastest time on Australian soil for 10 yrs
▪️missed #TokyoOG standard by 15 sec
▪️5th fastest time at Zatopek#TarbyStats pic.twitter.com/tVg3dCzzqc— David Tarbotton (@David_Tarbotton) January 26, 2021
“I’ve had a couple of seconds, so it was nice to come out on top.
“I felt really good the whole race and with a kilometre to go I thought ‘I’ve got this’.
“With 300 metres to go I put everything into it.”
Even though a huge cloud still hangs over the already-postponed Tokyo Olympics due to the coronavirus pandemic, Davies is now daring to dream.
“I took more than a minute off my PB at Launceston in November and I’m not sure what I ran there, but I think I’ve taken another 20 or 25 seconds off my PB again,” she said.
“I definitely think Tokyo is possible.”
The Olympic qualifying standard is 31:25.
It’s a WORLD RECORD for @JarydClifford! The inspirational champ stopped the clock in 3:42.97 in the Men’s 1500m at Zatopek. #ThisIsAthletics pic.twitter.com/osfrDo0SQW
— Athletics Australia (@AthsAust) January 26, 2021
In a race that heralded a changing of the guard in Australian women’s distance running, 25-year-old South Australian Isobel Batt-Doyle was second in 31:43.26.
Defending Zatopek:10 champion and pre-race favourite Genevieve Gregson was fourth.
Brett Robinson is your Australian Men’s 2020 10,000m champion! He crosses the line in 28:00.25 ahead of Jack Rayner (28:13.42) and Dave McNeill (28:16.86). #ThisIsAthletics pic.twitter.com/3qdkCDlqXw
— Athletics Australia (@AthsAust) January 26, 2021
Brett Robinson won his second men’s national 10,000m title – and his first since 2014 – in commanding fashion at Box Hill athletics track.
The 29-year-old powered away from training partner Jack Rayner, crossing the line in 28:00.25 – his second-fastest time over the distance.
“That’s only two seconds off my personal best and I feel there was a lot more there,” Robinson said.
“I think I can get down to the Olympic qualifier (of 27:28) if I had a crack at it in a good race.
“I’m qualified in the marathon for the Olympics, that’s what I’m doing at the moment and that’s what I will be best in.”
Big guns Stewart McSweyn and Patrick Tiernan both skipped Tuesday night’s race, having previously bettered the Olympic qualifying mark.
Jordan Williamsz edges out his teammate Ryan Gregson to win in 3:39.59. Gregson clocks 3:39.85 and Queensland’s Callum Davies runs a big personal best of 3:40.91. #ThisIsAthletics pic.twitter.com/g5SnTOY9Ad
— Athletics Australia (@AthsAust) January 26, 2021
Jordan Williamsz held off the challenge of former national record holder Ryan Gregson to win the men’s 1500m in 3:39.59.
Vision-impaired athlete Jaryd Clifford broke his own T12 world record, finishing sixth in 3:42.97.
National record holder Linden Hall won the women’s 1500m in 4:04.33.
Linden Hall has won the Women’s 1500m in a blistering 4:04.33, falling agonisingly short of the Olympic standard of 4:04.20. Jenny Blundell 2nd in (4:07.71) ahead of Keely Small (4:07.89). #ThisIsAthletics pic.twitter.com/z0nkBylkNa
— Athletics Australia (@AthsAust) January 26, 2021
-AP
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