Athletics Australia – News – Tallent spearheads Chinese assault

Olympic silver medallist Jared Tallent (Vic) will spearhead Australia’s campaign at the IAAF Race Walking Challenge Final in Erdos (CHN) on Friday 14 September.

In the men’s 10km race Tallent will be joined by fellow Olympian Luke Adams (NSW) as well as Rhydian Cowley (Vic) and Dane Bird-Smith (Qld), who won his first senior title in Adelaide last month.

The Olympic 20km champion Chen Ding (CHN) will be one of several Chinese athletes looking to replicate their success in London, on home soil. Tallent finished 10^th at this event, last year in Spain, where Adams went two places higher in eighth.

Bird-Smith arrives in China on the back of his victory in the 20km race walk at the Australian Walks Championships in Adelaide last month and will be looking to better his 13^th place from 2011.  Meanwhile Cowley, who finished second in Adelaide, will compete in his first IAAF Race Walking Challenge Final.

In the women’s 10km race, China are expecting their first winner since the IAAF Race Walking Challenge was moved to the 10km distance in 2009 with Liu Hong and Olympic bronze medallist Qieyang Shenjie favourites.  

However, Claire Tallent (SA) will be looking to play an instrumental part in the race, after a comprehensive win in the 20km at the Australian Walks Championships in her hometown of Adelaide.

Athletics Australia – News