Athletics Australia – News – Pearson wins Sopot SILVER

The Australian Flame captain Sally Pearson (Qld) has this morning won a SILVER medal in the women's 60m hurdles at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Sopot (POL).

Adding a sixth major championship medal to her already impressive list of accolades, Pearson can now proudly display today's silverware alongside her London 2012 Olympic crown, the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth title, gold medals from the IAAF World Championships and IAAF World Indoor Championships and her silver medal from the 100m hurdles as Moscow 2013 last year.

Pearson's start in the final came after a blistering 7.79, the fastest ever performance in the first round, to launch her campaign yesterday, before backing up with another strong performance of 7.81 in her semi-final earlier today.

Launching from lane four in the final, the 27-year-old executed her trademark quick start before sailing over the first four hurdles. Pearson then clipped the final barrier and charged for home where she was narrowly defeated by Nia Ali (USA, first, 7.80, PB), with Moscow 2013 bronze medallist Tiffany Porter (GBR, third, 7.86, SB) rounding out the top-three.

Ever the perfectionist, Pearson was disappointed with her performance despite the excitement felt by the Australian athletics community.

"I stuffed up out there tonight. I am disappointed with my performance; I was in shape to win the gold and thought that I would but I didn't execute a good enough race to be the best out there this time around," Pearson said.

"It wasn't my night, but it was Nia's and I have to congratulate her on a great performance. She was the best athlete out there and I have said all along that it isn't about times, but instead about the athlete that can run the best race at the time and she did that."

Pearson will now return home, where she is expected to compete in the short sprints at the Sydney Track Classic next Saturday 15 March, before a return to her preferred 100m hurdles at the IAAF Melbourne World Challenge the following Saturday 22 March.

"I switch back to Australian season mode now. I don't want this race to affect how I run at home because I am very much looking forward to racing again in Sydney next weekend, and then again in Melbourne and through to the Nationals," Pearson added.

"The Commonwealth Games are still a huge goal for me this year, and getting my preparation right during my home season is crucial as I missed that last year and want to take as much as I can away from it this time around before coming back to Europe."

Competition in the green and gold continues at the IAAF World Indoor Championships at 2:10am AEDST tomorrow, with IAAF World Cross Country Championship top-eight finisher Collis Birmingham (Vic) set to battle it out in the final of the men's 3000m.

Live Results for the event will be available for the event via iaaf.org by clicking here.

To view and download entry lists and to view the championship timetable, please click here.

AUSTRALIAN FLAME COMPETITION TIMES (in AEDST)
Time – Event – Athlete

Monday 10 March
2:10am – Men's 3000m (Final) – Collis Birmingham (Vic)