Athletics Australia – News – Abdi makes late play for Daegu selection

Youcef Abdi has made a late play for IAAF world championships selection overnight after clocking 8:16.41 to win the 3000m steeplechase at the Savo Games in Lapinlahti (FIN).

A season best performance, Abdi’s time falls just shy of his personal best of 8:16.36 from the Beijing Olympics final and a mere 0.19 seconds short of the Australian record currently held by Shaun Creighton (VIC).

“It’s fantastic to see an old warrior like Youcef running so well so close to a major international championship,” Eric Hollingsworth, Athletics Australia High Performance Manager, said.

“Any time we can add an Olympic finalist to the team we are happy, and his international experience will be a fantastic guide to the team’s fresh blood including Steven Solomon and Caitlin Sargent.”

Abdi made his international debut at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games where he won a bronze medal in the 1500m. He has since lined up twice at the Commonwealth Games (2006, 2010), three IAAF world championships (2003, 2007, 2009) and the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games where he placed 6th in the final.

Domestically the 33-year-old has won three Australian championship medals in the 1500m and five in the 3000m steeplechase, including three consecutive gold medals in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

In other Australian results at the meet:

–       Up and coming junior athlete Jordan Williamsz (VIC) clocked a new personal best of 1:47.33 for 4th in the men’s 800m, while James Kaan (NSW) finished two spots behind him in 1:47.60.

–       In the women’s 800m, Zoe Buckman crossed the line in 2:03.88 for 4th.

Abdi’s attention will now shift to the Joensuu Games in Joensuu (FIN) this Thursday where he is set to again line up in the men’s 3000m steeplechase.

The week is then bookended by Round 11 of the Samsung Diamond League in Stockholm (SWE) with Tristan Thomas (400m), Tamsyn Manou (800m), Ryan Gregson (1500m), Jeff Riseley (1500m), Lauren Boden (400m hurdles), Mitchell Watt (long jump), Benn Harradine (discus throw) and Jarrod Bannister (javelin) flying the Australian flag.

Athletics Australia – News