Browning tantalisingly close to Tokyo standard with 10.06w

2 February 2020

Browning tantalisingly close to Tokyo standard with 10.06w

The wait for the first major track meet of the Olympic year was over last night with the Jandakot Airport Track Classic held in Perth. The sprinters, particularly Rohan Browning, took advantage of the expected good conditions.

MEN 100m

From the heat, Australia’s equal third fastest ever, Rohan Browning (SYU) looked sharp in his season debut clocking 10.16 (1.5) – his second fastest ever time. In the final, Browning was away well, although shaded by Jack Hale who ran a PB of 10.12 in the heat. But Browning overhauled Hale to take the win in 10.06 – just 0.01 seconds outside the Olympic qualifier, although it was also aided by an over the limit 2.2m/s wind. Hale was second in 10.10, with Jin Su Jung fifth (SYU 10.43w) and Will Roberts sixth (BAN, 10.47w). Roberts ran a PB 10.48 in the heat. There was other good news in the heats, with Josh Clarke (SYU) continuing a solid return. Despite pulling up potentially injured in Canberra a few weeks ago, in Perth, Clarke ran 10.30w (2.1) in the heat and seemingly as a precaution withdrawing from the final.

Browning was pleased with his performance.

“I knew if I got the start right I could run quick,” he said. “There are parts of that race I could have improved on and hopefully over the season I can do that. I’m very happy with that. Perth is a quick track. The crowd is fantastic and the winds very helpful.”

He also delivered an important message coaches try and instil in their athletes.

“The biggest thing in the sport, it is about averages. Last year I ran 10.08 once, and I and Murph (his coach Andrew Murphy) didn’t want to consider myself as a ‘10 0’ guy. I was still a 10.20 guy until I can come out and average 10.15, 10.05 or 9.95 maybe one day. That is when you can start calling yourself a ‘10 0’ or ‘9 9’ guy and when you are at that stage you are world class.”

WOMEN 400m hurdles

It was a comfortable win for the world championships semi-finalists, Sarah Carli (KEJ), clocking 56.87 to defeat Doha teammate Sara Klein 58.16.

“I was very happy. I knew because of the wind I had to push out a little harder to actually make sure I could get my strides and I felt a bit at the end,” said Carli.

Her Doha time leaves her 0.03 seconds outside the Olympic qualifier, which should be enough to get her a start in Tokyo, but she is not going to chance her luck and has a strong goal for the season.

“I was not going to come into this season and be complacent chasing that time.”

MEN 110m hurdles

Doha world championships semi-finalists, Nick Hough launched his 2019/20 summer season in the best possible way with a strong win in 13.85.

“That is the fastest first up race I have ever had in a season and it is a good year to do it in. All eye are now on Tokyo.”

However the preparation has not been ideal for Hough.

“I’ve had a few niggles in the last couple of weeks so it is good to finish a race. There is always that worry with the first race that you are not going to be able to make it to the end. I did, I’m happy, and got through in one piece.”

In recent years he has had some good domestic competition.

“It (competition) has got a lot better in the last couple of years with Jacob (McCorry) and Nick (Andrews) coming through. They are improving every year and they are right on my tail and I’m hoping we can get three people to Tokyo this year and all push each other.”

In other key action from NSW athletes, Tyler Gunn (WOL) continued his return from injury to win the 400m in 47.37 and Cameron McEntyre (SYP) backup his recent 78m throw with a tremendous 75.42m mark for second place in the javelin.

Treloar Shield

Unfortunately, part way through the Treloar Shield in Sydney at Homebush on Saturday, the extreme heat policy required the cancelation of the meet.

Earlier in the meet, we saw a two-year PB by teenager Keegan Bell (HIL) clocking 47.21, as he chased the World U20 Championships standard of 46.90. In the hammer throw, Commonwealth Games medallists Alex Hulley launched her best throw for 11 months with an excellent 66.08m. Rebecca Bennett also clocked a PB 400m time of 53.21.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

Image: Rohan Browning (courtesy of AA/ Locksmith Photography)