‘Should’ve been smarter’: Jess Hull denied at nationals
Joanna Guelas |
Rising star Claudia Hollingsworth concedes she “should’ve been smarter” after her 1500m showdown with Jessica Hull ended in her disqualification, depriving her of a maiden national title.
Hull was in the box seat to nab her fourth-straight 1500m national crown at the Australian championships in Sydney on Friday before she tripped while leading on the final straight following a challenge from Hollingsworth.
Hollingsworth crossed the finish line first in 4:17.06, ahead of Sarah Billings and third-placed Abbey Caldwell, but the 20-year-old was stripped of victory after two separate protests were made.
Sensing a move from Hollingsworth behind her, Hull, the Paris Olympics 1500m silver medallist, said she had been tapped as she tried to defend her position.
Hull had begun to break away from the pack around the 800m mark after an unusually slow start.
“When it’s that slow, things happen – you can blame yourself a bit because I let it go as slow as they did,” Hull said.
“But I felt like I had just hit my last gear.
“Whoever was coming from behind just gave me a tap, and when you’re going that fast, the slightest bump, you just hit the track.”
It was a heartbreaking result for Hull, who had set herself the ambitious goal of winning an unprecedented middle-distance treble in Sydney.
The 29-year-old will also compete in the 800m and 5000m, despite just a 32-minute break between the two finals on Sunday.
“I don’t have to be the person to make the race anymore,” Hull said.
“I’ve worked on my speed so incredibly well, and I was really confident in it, so I don’t have to go out and lead these races around.
“But when it’s that slow, it’s a bit of a joke.”
Hollingsworth, prior to her disqualification, said her victory had left her with “conflicting feelings”.
“Total accident, so I hope they can see that,” Hollingsworth said.
“I know no-one’s ever going to let someone in, and I should have been smarter and maybe gone out a bit more on the outside, but if you see a sniff and a bit of a gap, you go for it.”
Hull was plain in her assessment of the incident when asked if the challenge was legal.
“No, it’s not, but it happens,” Hull said.
Hollingsworth had underlined herself as an up-and-coming star after sensationally holding off British middle-distance heavyweight Georgia Hunter Bell for victory in the 1500m at the Maurie Plant Meet.
Hull had heaped praise on her young rival in the lead-up to the Sydney meet and said the Victorian product had put the field on notice, while Hollingsworth described the seasoned veteran as being “on another level”.
“I have so much respect for her, so my main concern when I crossed the line was if she was okay,” Hollingsworth said after the pair hugged following the race..
“Definitely conflicting feelings because I feel bad, but at the end of the day, it’s nationals, and it’s going to be competitive.”
Lachlan Kennedy stole the headlines after winning the first heat of the men’s 100m in 9.96 seconds – becoming the first Australian to break the 10-second barrier legally for the 100m on home soil.
AAP