Athletics Australia – News – Watt to return to Diamond League runway in Stockholm

Current world lead Mitchell Watt will headline the men’s long jump at the Samsung Diamond League in Stockholm (SWE) this Friday night, with the IAAF world championship bronze medallist set to lead an Australian start list of nine.

His first competitive hit-out since injuring his heel last month, Watt is sure his cautious recovery will bode well as he maintains his focus on winning gold at the IAAF world championships in Daegu.

“The doctor said about ten days ago that it was fine to jump on, and I haven’t had any pain for about two weeks,” Watt said.

“But with the world championships as my main goal my coach Gary Bourne and I have decided to take it slow, avoid jump sessions and give it as much time as possible.

“All of my training has been going better than ever and I’m sure it will be fine, I’m just keen to test it and hopefully get something big out in the process.”

Watt arrived at Athletics Australia’s Cologne base as the best in the world this year after twice leaping 8.44m, at the Australian Athletics Championships and Round 2 of the Diamond League in Shanghai (CHN), before soaring 8.20m (w: +3.0) at the Bad Langensalza Long Jump Meet in Germany last month.

“My build up over here has been good, Cologne seems to be a bit quieter than I remember in 2009 but I think that’s because the world champs were in Berlin that year,” Watt continued.

“Personally it’s very different though because leading into the last world champs I wasn’t expected to do as well as I did whereas this year I came to Europe as the world leader, will hopefully head to Daegu in the same fashion and I want to return home as the world champion.

“After that I can assess my build-up to London and there is no better way to head into an Olympic year than as the best in the world. I think we all know that theselection trials will be here before we know it and I want to make sure that I am on my game both in Daegu and as the Australian season fast approaches.”

Joining Watt on the runway is Olympic champion Irving Saladino (PAN) and fellow Australian Robbie Crowther. Saladino in Paris two weeks ago jumped 8.40m (w: +0.2) to win and challenge for the number one spot, while Crowther will make his Diamond League debut.

Watt continued: “Saladino’s jump in Paris was massive so I am hoping to try and beat him, but for the most part I am treating it as a rehearsal for the world champs.

"I want to get something big out early so I know my heel is right and from there we’ll see what happens

“It’s great to Robbie on the start list too, he has been jumping consistently at 8.00m and I’d be rapt to see him PB as a starting point but maybe even get the qualifier to push for selection.”

Also competing in the field is national record holder and Commonwealth discus champion Benn Harradine, who at the Paris Diamond League heaved 64.98m for 5th. Olympic and world champions Gerd Kanter (EST) and Virgilijus Alekna (LTU) will challenge him in the circle.

Harradine has enjoyed an impressive European campaign to date including five podium finishes and a season best performance of 66.07m, just 38 centimetres shy of his personal best.

On the track, Australian record holder Ryan Gregson and world championships bound Jeff Riseley will join Olympic champion Asbel Kiprop (KEN) in the men’s 1500m A Race and Jeremy Roff will fly the flag in the men's 1500m B Race, while Lachlan Renshaw and Tamsyn Manou will compete in the men’s and women’s 800m events respectively.

Tristan Thomas and Lauren Boden round out the Australians in action in the men’s 400m and women's 400m hurdles respectively.

Thomas will start alongside world indoor champion Jamaal Torrance (USA), with the Australian Institute of Sport scholarship holder racing after two top-three performances in Lucerne (46.53) and at the Pergine Valsugana Meeting Internazionale (47.24). Boden returns to the Diamond League after clocking 56.57 in Shanghai during May.

To view and download start lists from the DN Galan, please click here.

IAAF Diamond League – Round 11
(DN Galan)
Stockholm (SWE)
Friday, July 29

4:30pm (12:30am Saturday, July 30 AEST)
800m: Lachlan Renshaw (NSW) (non-Diamond League event)

5:00pm (1:00am Saturday, July 30 AEST)
Discus throw: Benn Harradine (VIC)

6:15pm (2:15am Saturday, July 30 AEST)
400m: Tristan Thomas (ACT) (non-Diamond League event)

7:05pm (3:05am Saturday, July 30 AEST)
800m: Tamsyn Manou (VIC) (non-Diamond League event)

8:10pm (4:10am Saturday, July 30 AEST)
Long jump: Mitchell Watt (QLD), Robbie Crowther (ACT)

9:05pm (5:05am Saturday, July 30 AEST)
1500m: Ryan Gregson (NSW), Jeff Riseley (VIC), Jeremy Roff (NSW)

9:15pm (5:15am Saturday, July 30 AEST)
400mH: Lauren Boden (ACT)
 

Athletics Australia – News