Australian Championships: Day 4 review

13 April 2025

Australian Championships: Day 4 review

Could day four match the brilliant day three of the Australian Championships?

Maybe it did, as Olyslagers, Lovell, Carli, Fairweather, Hull again and the Hunt brothers were fantastic.

WOMEN 5000m – Hull double

Yesterday we were thrilled at the women’s 1500m line up and race, but today’s 5000m certainly compared favourably. The 5000m start list included seven Olympians. In the past it was not common for athletes to double up in the 1500m and 5000m, but all the big guns but one opted too this year.

In what has been a massive week for Jessica Hull, competing in Jamacia, then in the 1500 metres here, she bided her time today until 500m to go, easing her way close to the front of the pack. But she was unable to break away as she was heavily pursued to the finish line by a few athletes, including Georgia Griffith who she just held off in the last 30 metres to claim the title in 15:02.74.

Victorian George Griffith, who after years specialling in the 800/1500, just a year ago ran her 3000m debut, and now holds the National record. Today she debuted over 5000m and runs a stunning 15:02.92, being out dipped by Jessica Hull in a sprint to the line.

Newcastle’s Rose Davies, the National 5000m record holder was brilliant in third (15:03.83), particularly considering she missed a patch of training in February while injured, and could have been excused from racing at all this summer, but not in this era.

The dazzling line continued in 6th SA’s Izzy Batt-Doyle (15:13), the new Australian half marathon record holder, in 7th NSW’s Holly Campbell (15:30.12), in 8th Olympian Lauren Ryan (15:41.50) and 9th NSW’s dual Olympian Jenny Blundell (15:49.56).

“Tonight was just about waiting for 100m to go and that's something I never do,” Jess said.

“For the whole first 4.9k I'm thinking about how relaxed can I be so I've got it when I get to the last 100m.”

The great sportsperson Jess is, after a grinding and exhausting race, she shook the hand of all 23 athletes as they finished.

“We've got to respect every single person that was out there in the heat this afternoon. So yeah, it's awesome to welcome people home and celebrate their achievements, whether it was running under 17 or under 18 for the first time. It's special, so yeah, hopefully all felt like they were part of it.”

Jess loved seeing the large crowd in to support the championships.

“When we first got a glimpse at the grandstand last night from the call room, it was full, and I haven't had that at a national champs ever.”

MEN LONG JUMP Liam Fairweather joins 8 metre club

With a stunning performance in the long jump, Maitland’s Liam Fairweather has added 38cm to his PB to become just the 23rd Aussie to clear eight metres. He launched himself out to 8.03m on his third attempt to claim the silver medal behind Liam Adcock.

Liam Fairweather also complied an incredible series. His PB when he arrived was 7.65m, but he destroyed that previous level with his series of 7.86, 7.84w, 8.03, foul, 7.80w and 7.88.

“The goal going into this was try to jump eight metres and I got eight metres so I’m very, very happy about that,” said Liam.

His progress can be put down to hitting the board.

“I Just wanted to get on that board. I've been behind the board or back of the board, for every jump this season.

“This season, I've had a couple high 7.70 jumps.

“I knew I had eight in me, if not more. I kind of wanted to scare Adcock a little bit near the end, but my hip got the better of me. But I knew I had it in me from a year and a half ago where I fouled eight metres on two occasions. So I've got that distance. It was just a matter of time.”

Liam has had a tough journey to reach this achievement.

“He had a hip operation three years ago,” explained coach/Dad Jason Fairweather. “He has arthritis.”

One plus for Liam has been the ondtruction of the Maitland track, built a few years ago.

“It's probably about a six minute drive. So it's been a good addition to the training. Before that we had to travel to Wallsend and Newcastle,” said Liam.

WOMEN 200 M AMBULANT – Mali Lovell record double

Paralympic medallist Mali Lovell twice broke her T36 National sprint records in Perth. In the 100m Mali broke her Australian record of 14.38, set in February in Sydney, clocking 14.24 in the heat in Perth. In the final she ran even quicker, 14.22, but was assisted by a slightly illegal wind of 2.1m/s.

In the 200m, she faced head winds. After a super heat time of 29.86, in the final, into a light head wind of -0.6m/s, she lowered her 12-month-old PB of 29.67 clocking 29.64. She won bronze medals in both events.

MEN 400m HURDLES OPEN & U20 – Hunt double

Hunt brothers, Tom and Matthew continue to create history, for the second consecutive year winning the open and under-20 titles in the same event in the same year. Last year, it was the first time for 36-years this had been achieved in men’s events, first by Carlin brothers (Sean and Paul) in the Hammer throw in 1988.

Matt got things underway winning the junior race in 52.93, leading home a NSW 1-2-3-4-5. Competing in his first competition of the season, Matt ran well to clock his third fastest time of his career (52.93) and defend his 2024 title.

Tom cruised the heat, ahead of a quick final winning time of 50.05, ahead of the improving Queenslander Kyle Bennett with 50.70. For Tom, it was the second fastest of his career and importantly when it counted most.

WOMEN HIGH JUMP – Nicola in the best shape of her life as she brushes 2.05m

With four athletes over 1.88m, all NSW, it was the best high jump competition in Australian championship history. Erin Shaw equalled her outdoor best of 1.88m, noting she has cleared 1.90m indoors. Emily Whelan delivered the same result and equal PB of 1.91m, to clinch the battle for the bronze.

Eleanor Patterson and Nicla Olyslagers matched each other with first up clearances at 1.88m, 1.93m and 1.97m.  Then Nicola cleared 1.99m on her first attempt, while Eleanor had her first miss and then opted to pass her remaining attempts. This strategy was to conserver energy and go for the win.

Nicola then went clear at 2.01m on her first attempt, while Eleanor missed her two attempts. Nicola passed 2.03m, then took three very close attempts at 2.05m.

Nicola explained her great form.

“Last year and the year before I've attempted 205 a few times and I found every single time I was just coming up short. I had power but I didn't have the momentum to get over the bar so World Indoors was the first time I tried out this new run with a bit more speed,” said Nicola.

“I'm really happy with the attempts. I think it's just learning, once you've got that speed and power, now how to use it more to clear the bar.”

She has another goal this season.

“This season, my big thing is I want to be bold in the way I do things. So whether that's opening at an international competition or putting the bar up high.

“I know I'm getting older in the sport so I really want to go for it. I've decided I'm targeting this year to go to the next level, so this year is important.”

Do you ever take the time to reflect on the last four or five years or is it just focusing on that year and what you're doing?

“I've been in the process of writing a book actually. I’m up until Tokyo so I've been going through all the journals. I've been reading about when I was like crying because I was so happy I jumped 190 and now that's my starting height so we've come a long way.

“But going into this next season, after the Olympics, I know I've got nothing to lose. I know my value now in sport, and my life is stable. I have a foundation of what God says about me. And I know that value can never be added or taken away based on a PB. So I think that helps me even today. I was just reminding myself on the run-up.”

Next up for Nicola?

“I think I've got a bit more technical work to do but I've got China in two weeks time so the training begins tomorrow and I think I’ll be looking at those videos and just learning but that was the most confident I've ever attacked it.”

MEN 110m HURDLES – Lightfoot win second National title

Progressing to the final ranked third after a rusty heat run of 14.01, 2023 National champion Mitch Lightfoot regained the National title.

“It wasn't the cleanest heat,” he reflected. “It is important to remember that they're different races and obviously, it is important to show good form in the rounds.”

The final was a close battle between three NSW athletes, Mitch, Jacob McCorry and Austin Little. Mitch held on for an equal PB time of 13.65, from Austin form twice lowered his PB at the championships, running 13.77 in the heat, then 13.69 in the final. Jacob also ran 13.69 for bronze.

WOMEN 400m HURDLES – a refocused Sarah Carli smashes her PB

With good competition from her Paris Olympic semi-final teammate Alanah Yukich, Sarah Carli smashed her 400m hurdles PB with a world championship qualifying time of 54.29. It was the fastest time by an Aussie for 18 years. In the last 22 years we have rarely seen an Aussie run this fast at home, and over the last 22 years only Jana Pittman’s 2006 Commonwealth Games win has been faster.

Sarah was so surprised she walked back to the clock to digest the time.

”I knew I was in shape, but I'm just shocked,” she said.

She explained a big change in her life.

“Working part-time with a mortgage was very stressful and I'm 30 and I think the financial pressure was a lot and I think going back full-time has alleviated a lot of things,” explained Sarah.

“It's given me the flexibility to just go to a comp or take time off and I think sport is now my outlet again. It's not my focus and I think it's been showing in my training, I'm just really enjoying training and maybe not putting as much pressure on myself now.”

Her training environment has also changed now doing sessions alongside local 100m hurdler Abbie Taddeo and with fiancé Bryce also assisting.

David Tarboton for Athletics NSW
Image:  Nicola Olyslagers close third attempt at 2.05m (courtesy of David Tarbotton)