EVENT RECAP | 2022 WORLD ATHLETICS INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Matthew Ramsden and Kurtis Marschall took on the world over the weekend in Serbia at the 2022 World Athletics Indoor Championships.

An in form Matthew Ramsden was first up on the international stage running in Round One of the Men’s 3000m. Coming off a great preparation in his home city of Perth, Ramsden proved he was in the mix, finishing his heat third with a time of 7:52.04. The 3000m Men’s final was a tactical race, which saw many changes of paces making it extremely hard to get into a rhythm, Ramsden held his own finishing 12th in the world with a time of 7:49.82.

“I just didn’t recover from the heat as well as I had hoped, but I’ve had a very good three-month training block and I feel like I’m in a good place for the rest of the year,” Ramsden said.

“From here, I’ll travel back home and prep for the National 1500m, which will be the event I’m hoping to represent Australia in at the World Championships later in the year.”

A consistent Kurtis Marschall had a roller coaster of a week leading into the World Indoor Championships having tested positive to COVID-19. Marschall got the all-clear just in time to fly to Serbia and  seemed to have no leftover effects from the virus, clearing 5.75m, just a 1cm shy of his season best. Unfortunately missing his first attempt at 5.45m meant he would finish 7th due on countback.

“It was great to get another chance to compete against the best vaulters in the world. I really felt like I could get 5.85m, but I’ll have more opportunities throughout the rest of the year. I feel like I’m getting better each comp,.” Marschall said.

“I was really unlucky to catch COVID on my way to Belgrade, but although I wasn’t too physically affected by it, I found it tough not being able to train for two weeks, and it was also quite emotionally draining to only find out yesterday that I was able to compete.”

Australia finished 7th on the Championships placing table, with one silver (Eleanor Patterson) and one bronze (Ash Moloney) medals won, as well as three 5th place, two 6th place and one 7th place finishes.

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By Declan Carruthers, Athletics West
Extra reporting by Athletics Australia
Photo Credit: Getty Images 
Posted: 21/3/2022