Aussie walking wizard Beacroft has world at his feat
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Australia’s Isaac Beacroft has maintained his stunning golden streak with a record-breaking victory in the 5km race walk at the world athletics under-20 championships in the US.
Beacroft’s sizzling win in Eugene, Oregon, follows on from his Commonwealth Games gold medal just over a week ago in the 10km race walk in Glasgow.
Victory in Oregon means he now has the prestigious world U20 championships and Commonwealth Games gold-medal double.
Beacroft also broke the world record in Oregon at the famous Hayward Field, his time of 18:40.37 smashing more than seven seconds off the previous mark.
“I’m over the moon, I couldn’t be happier,” the Australian said after his stunning victory on Saturday (local time).
“I knew coming in it was going to be so hard. It definitely was pretty hard, so I’m just so happy to get it done.
“It’s a massive relief. I felt a fair bit of pressure going into this one, you are a Commonwealth champion, (people think) surely it’s a walk in the park to do juniors.
“It’s definitely not. I have raced each race to its merits, I don’t know what is harder.
“I’m stoked to have won both, that’s all I can say on that.”
Beacroft’s world-record time meant he beat silver medallist Huajia Pu by more than three seconds, the Chinese athlete clocking 18:43.70.
Third place went to Italy’s Nicolo’ Vidal, more than 12 seconds behind in a time of 18:56.19.
Despite the impressive nature of his victory, Beacroft said it was difficult to come straight from Glasgow to Oregon.
“I had a day or two after my race to try and freshen up,” he said.
“I didn’t really freshen up there, I went out with the Commonwealth Games boys and girls.
“I didn’t go too hard on the partying, but there was some definitely done, then it was pretty rough to travel here.
“There was a delay with the plane, but I think getting here and getting around the whole team has given me a real lift.”
In another impressive result, the Australian team of Thewbelle Philp, Zara Hagan, Grace Crowe and Emilia Reed won their heat of the women’s 4x100m sprint.
AAP