Day 3 World University Games: Diamond shines with bronze

3 August 2023

Day 3 World University Games: Diamond shines with bronze

It was another very good day for the NSW contingent at the World University Games in China. Commonwealth Games representative, Alec Diamond claimed his second consecutive decathlon medal at a World University Games with bronze in Chengdu last night.

Alec scored 7812 points, higher than his 2019 World University Games and 2022 Commonwealth Games performances. His day two was highlighted by an excellent javelin 52.61m – his best throw for five years and a gutsy 4:47.15 in the gruelling 1500m – just outside his PB.

In his debut in the green and gold, Connor Murphy just missed the podium, placing fourth in the triple jump. After nailing 16.24m in round two, he extended his best to 16.40m in round five.

In a dominant display of distance running in her 5000m heat, Holly Campbell coasted into the final. After no one would take up the lead in her heat, she eventually led the race for nearly the entire race, burning off the competition in a comfortable time of 16:42.45. The final on Saturday night will certainly be a different situation with Portuguese athlete Machado owning a best of 15:15.56 set this year. Also in the push for a podium are four athletes from China, Japan and Norway with bests of between 15:30 and 15:40. Holly who has a PB of 16:00.51, is set to destroy that time in a fast race and undoubtedly mix it with the leaders and press for a medal.

On a terrific day for the blues, NSW’s other four athletes in action all progressed to the next round in their events. Desleigh Owusu bounded out to 13.08m in her triple jump qualifying round to reach the final. An indication of just how high the standard is in her event, she lines up in the final ranked eighth with her seasons best of 13.42m.

In the men’s 200m Chris Ius won his heat in 21.01. He is ranked 10th going into the semi-finals tonight.

Sprint hurdlers and training partners, Emily Britton and Imogen Breslin, automatically progressed to the 100m hurdles semi-finals. In the heats Imogen clocked 13.37 – the third fastest time of her career, while Emily recorded 13.38.

Watch a live stream https://www.fisu.tv/browse

Competition schedule for the NSW athletes

Times are AEST

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

Image: Alec Diamond