Athletics Australia – News – DAY 2: Tallent the first Australian, as McKnight advances

Dual Olympic medallist Jared Tallent (Vic) was the first Flame athlete across the line in the men’s 20km walk final this morning, as Valeriy Borchin (RUS) headed home with the gold medal in a fast paced affair at the 2011 IAAF world championships.

Competing across a two-kilometre loop in downtown Daegu (KOR), Tallent, who was joined on the start line by fellow Australian Adam Rutter (NSW, DNF), clocked 1:25:25 to finish 27th.

“I’m pretty disappointed to be honest, I usually should be able to hold that pace easily but it wasn’t there today,” Tallent said.

“My preparation hasn’t been ideal and I now have a week to turn it around for the 50 kilometre event later in the week.

“I had some pretty solid long sessions at home before coming here and am hoping to find what I was missing today for the next race.”

Heading out strongly, both Tallent and Rutter held strong in a chase pack as Italian Georgio Rubino (DQ) made an early break to cruise through 5 kilometres with the lead.  As the pace picked up through the middle stages the athletes dispersed, with Yusuke Suzuki (JPN, 8th, 1:21:39) heading to the front in 40:58 at the half way mark.

The defending world champion Borchin (first, 1:19:56) and former European champion Vladimir Kanaykin (second, 1:20:27) again lifted the tempo to take the lead spots in the closing stages to ensure a Russian one-two. Colombian Luis Fernando Lopez (1:20:38) won the bronze medal.

Tallent now shifts his attention to the men’s 50km walk next Saturday, September 3, where he will be joined by 2007 world champion Nathan Deakes (Vic) and Commonwealth Games silver medallist Luke Adams (NSW). 

“The Australian ranks for the 50km walk are good, Nathan and Luke are in great shape,” Tallent continued.

“I’ll be doing all I can to improve for then and they’ll be as ready as they can so we will do pretty well I think.” 

Meanwhile at the main stadium, IAAF world championships debutante Kaila McKnight (Vic) took to the start line for the first round of the women’s 1500m.

Clocking 4:08.74 to finish 9th in her heat behind dual world champion Maryam Yusuf Jamal (BRN, 4:07.04)), the world championships debutante McKnight advanced on time to the semi-finals on Tuesday, August 30. 

“I’m really pleased, there were a lot of good girls in my heat,” McKnight said.

“I’d watched the previous two heats and knew I needed to give a little bit of pace so I went to the lead when could to push for something quick. 

“I know that Jamal can run really fast. They’re going to be in the final so if I want to make the final I have to get used to running against them.”

In field, Commonwealth champion Alana Boyd (WA) was unable to advance to the final of the women’s pole vault. Thirteenth overall, Boyd sailed over 4.25m, 4.40m and 4.50m before stumbling at 4.55m. Unluckily, she missed the final on a count back.

 “It was nice to have some good jumps today but unfortunately it just wasn’t quite enough,” Boyd said.

 “I know that with more work I can jump higher and be a better athlete for the Australian domestic season and the London Olympics.”

To view and download full results, please visit athletics.com.au 

13^th IAAF world championships
Day 2
Sunday, August 28:

19:15 (20:15 AEST):
W Discus Throw (F): Dani Samuels (NSW)

 

Athletics Australia – News