Kennedy sizzles with sub-10 run but Hull takes a tumble
Joanna Guelas |
Sprint sensation Lachlan Kennedy has kicked off his national athletics championship campaign in fine style, becoming the first Australian to break the 10-second barrier legally for the 100m on home soil.
Kennedy made the most of perfect conditions and a newly laid track at Sydney Olympic Park’s athletics centre to clock 9.96 in the first heat of the men’s 100m.
But Jessica Hull endured a nightmare on Friday as she failed to defend her 1500m title against rising star Claudia Hollingsworth after tripping in the women’s final.
Hollingsworth crossed the finish line first but was disqualified after two separate protests were lodged.
Hull had to settle for last in the 12-strong field, with Sarah Billings awarded the race victory.
Hollingsworth will make an official appeal at midday on Saturday.
Kennedy’s race in Sydney marks the second time the 22-year-old has run sub-10 seconds, following his 9.98 dash at the Kip Keino Classic in Kenya last year.
National record-holder Patrick Johnson is the only other Australian to complete the feat, but ran 9.93 in Mito, Japan, in 2003.
Rohan Browning (9.96 seconds) and teen star Gout Gout (9.99 seconds) have also broken the 10-second mark, but only with illegal tailwinds.
“I didn’t really even expect it. I was just super relaxed. I was definitely pushing it, but yeah, it just felt easy, you know?” Kennedy said.
“I think I got a bit more in the tank, but good to see I’m in good form.
“Definitely honoured to be the first. No one can ever take that away from you.”
Kennedy had cemented his status as Australia’s fastest man at the Maurie Plant Meet a fortnight ago after setting a 100m meet record of 10.03 seconds, before upstaging Gout again to claim the 200m.
Asked if he could shave his 100m time to 9.8 seconds, Kennedy said: “This year, definitely. I think I’ve got so much more to give, but we’re off to a cracking start.
“Of all the conditions, today is probably the best objectively, but at the end of the day, I’m here to win that national final.
“I’m here to get my first national championship, so saving the best for tomorrow.”
Two-time Olympian and defending national 100m champion Browning could not compete with Kennedy’s blistering pace and ran 10.24 to reach Saturday’s semi-final.
Should Kennedy dethrone Browning in the final, he will clinch a spot for this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Kennedy will also run the 200m in Sydney for the latest chapter of his rivalry with Gout, though the younger Queenslander won’t compete for a Glasgow spot.
Paris Olympics 1500m silver medallist Hull was poised to win her fourth straight national title before falling on the final straight as she tried to defend her position from Hollingsworth.
However, Hollingsworth crossed the finish line first in 4:17.06, ahead of Billings and third-placed Abbey Caldwell.
Friday’s result is a massive blow to 20-year-old Hollingsworth, who had sensationally held off British middle-distance heavyweight Georgia Hunter Bell for victory in the 1500m at the Maurie Plant Meet.
Hull was looking to nail the perfect start to her audacious treble program in Sydney, out to also win the 800m and 5000m, despite just a 32-minute break between the two finals on Sunday.
Cameron Myers, 19, won the men’s 1500 race with a personal best of 3:29.85 – just shy of second-placed Olli Hoare’s 3:29.41 national record.
AAP