EVENT PREVIEW | 2022 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Six WA Athletes are set to take on the world’s best at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Oregon, Eugene starting this weekend.

Day 1 will get underway in the early hours of Saturday, with WA race walker Declan Tingay competing in the 20km walk at 6:10 am AWST. Tingay has had a great season so far, with his new personal best of  1:20.44 being set in February this year, the ninth fastest Australian finish of all time.

National Champion and current Australian Open Record Holder Nina Kennedy will also be taking on the qualification round of the Women’s Pole Vault on Day 1 with a 8:20 am AWST start. Kennedy will be going into the competition ranked 6th and is looking to capitalise on a solid lead-up, including wins at last month’s Rabat Diamond league and Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland.

“Competing well in the lead-up to Worlds has given me confidence. I’m feeling good and I can’t wait to see what I can do.” Nina stated.

“It’s nice to go to a track that you’re familiar with and have nice memories of. World Juniors 2014 is honestly one of my favourite meets I’ve ever been too, so it’s just nice to be back here for a second time.”

Matthew Ramsden will kick off Day 2 of the Championships, competing in the heats of the 1500m on Sunday morning at 9:30 am AWST, with semi-finals set for Monday and the final on Wednesday. Ramsden will also line up in the 5000m with a top 30 world ranking. Heats for the 5000m get underway on Friday 22 July at 9:10 am AWST.

800m Australian Record Holder and 2021 Olympic Finalist Peter Bol will be looking at claiming his first major medal after placing fourth in Tokyo. Currently ranked 7th in the world, the fastest Australian around 800m will line up for the heats on Thursday 21 July at 8:20 am AWST, with the semi-finals taking place the following day at 10 am AWST and the final on Saturday 23 July at 9:10 am AWST.

Out in the field, Cruz Hogan will wear the green and gold colours for the first time and compete against the world’s best in the Javelin. Hogan is currently going into the competition ranked 29th for the event and has been preparing for the competition at the Australian Team staging camp in Seattle.

“I’m extremely proud to have been selected for the Australian Team, for the World Athletics Championships. My main goal is to push over the 80-meter boundary and be in contention to make the final.” Said Cruz.

Kurtis Marschall will open his campaign on Saturday, July 23rd at 8:05 am AWST, with the final being held on the last day of the World Championships on Monday, July 25th at 8:25 am AWST. Marschall is heading into these championships ranked 18th and after spending his preparation competing in Europe, he is in a great position for the Championships.

“My goal for World Champs is the same as any major championship and that’s to make it through to the final.” Said Marschall.

“It’s probably going to take a 5.70m – 5.75m jump to do that. Once I tick that box, then I’ll focus on being as aggressive as I can and try get over some big bars. Do everything that I can to clear an 80m bar. Then I’m in when the bar goes to 5.90, which usually sorts out the medals.”

WA Selected Athletes – Eugene 2022 World Athletics Championships

Cruz Hogan (Morgan Ward) – Men’s Javelin

Declan Tingay (Brett Vallance) – Men’s 20km Walk

Kurtis Marschall (Paul Burgess) – Men’s Pole Vault

Matthew Ramsden (Nic Bideau) - Men’s 1500m & 5000m

Nina Kennedy (Paul Burgess) – Women’s Pole Vault

Peter Bol (Justin Rinaldi) – Men’s 800m

All of the action from the 2022 World Athletics Championships can be seen on SBS demand. The Eugene 2022 World Athletics Championship Games will be held from Friday 15 July to Sunday 24 July at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon.

For more information and to follow all the upcoming athletics action head to Athletics West’s Facebook & Instagram pages.

For any queries, please contact Athletics West at admin@athleticswest.com.au or 08 6272 0480.

By Danielle Wilkinson & David Smith, Athletics West

Posted: 1/4/2022