EVENT RECAP | 2022 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Published Tue 26 Jul 2022
After ten massive days of athletics action, the 2022 World Athletics Championships have concluded in Oregon. WA’s top athletes did not disappoint with Nina Kennedy winning bronze in the Women’s Pole Vault final and Peter Bol finishing 7th in the World in the Men’s 800m Final.
Kennedy delivered a career-defining performance early in the World Championships and helped set a standard for the Australian team. Overcoming a shaky start in the early stages of the Women’s Final, Kennedy cleared consecutive jumps to edge into the medals. Coming close to her own Australian Record, Kennedy finished the competition with a best clearance of 4.80m. The West Australian’s performance secured Australia their first medal at the 2022 World Athletics Championships and the first Australian women’s jump medal ever at a World Championships.
Out on the track, Peter Bol secured WA’s best track result with a gutsy effort in the Men’s 800m. After cruising through to the semi-finals, Bol had a nervous wait to secure his spot in the final but came through with the 8th fastest time to secure his spot. Lining up against the world’s best, Bol looked like a World Champion as he battled it out in Oregon to cross the line in 1:45.51 and claim 7th.
Fellow West Australian Declan Tingay headlined on Day 1 with a top 20 finish in the Men’s 20km Road Walk Final. Tingay looked comfortable amongst the world's best with another solid hit out in the Green and Gold in 2022. Replicating his Tokyo 2020 performance, Tingay crossed the line in 17th place with a time of 1:23.28.
A difficult qualifying proved to be more testing for Kurtis Marschall than he would have liked. While the reigning Commonwealth Champion has enjoyed a solid lead-up to Oregon, Marschall struggled to find his rhythm in the Men’s Pole Vault finishing with a best clearance of 5.50m. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough for Marschall to progress to the Final.
Making his debut in the Green and Gold, Cruz Hogan was WA’s sole thrower selected for the Australian World Championships team. Hogan struggled to make an impact in an impressive field and threw 73.03 to finish 13th in his qualifying group.
Matthew Ramsden rounded out WA’s representation at the World Championships with a start in the Men’s 1500m and 5000m. Starting with the 1500m, Ramsden ran 3:39.83 in his heat to place 9th. Ramsden returned to Hayward Field for the 5000m heats where he finished 16th in his heat in a time of 13:52.90.
Australia’s top athletes will now switch their attention to the 2022 Commonwealth Games bound for Birmingham. WA will be well represented with eleven athletes set to take on the best in the Commonwealth.
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 David Smith, Athletics West
